Colombian paramilitary leaders plead not guilty to drug charges

From CNN Justice Producer Terry Frieden

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Eight right-wing Colombian paramilitary figures, including leader Salvatore Mancuso, pleaded not guilty Thursday to drug trafficking charges in federal court in Washington Thursday.

The pleas before a U.S. magistrate came hours after the high-profile Colombian defendants were flown to Washington, ending an extradition journey that began Tuesday in Bogota.

Mancuso and fellow prisoner Juan Carlos Sierra-Ramirez were surrounded by armed deputy marshals as they entered the courtroom in orange jumpsuits. The two men identified themselves to the judge, but said nothing more as their attorneys entered pleas of not guilty to a four-count drug conspiracy indictment.