$10bn drug boss lands 10yrs in jail; COURT 2.

Byline: MIRROR REPORTER

THE boss of a $10billion drug cartel yesterday pleaded guilty to charges that will see him locked up for a minimum of 10 years.

Colombian cocaine cartel boss Diego "Don Diego" Montoya Sanchez admitted to conspiracy to import cocaine, racketeering conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Addressing the Miami court a repentant Sanchez, 48, said: "Thank you and may God accompany my steps so that I can make amends."

Montoya's lawyer, William Clay, said the government's evidence was "extremely convincing" and "virtually indefensible."

At one point Montoya was responsible for 60% of the cocaine entering the US and Colombian authorities blame him for 1,500 killings.

The charges carry a minimum 10-year sentence, but prosecutors will recommend the man who once topped the FBI's wanted list spends 45 years in prison.

CAPTION(S):

CARTEL Diego Montoya