Ramiro Vanoy Murillo, 60, and Javier Lindo, 38, are among 14 paramilitary members who were extradited to the U.S. in May. Authorities say they men, who entered their pleas Tuesday, were wanted for their alleged roles in a large-scale cocaine smuggling operation dating to the late 1990s.

Sentencing is set for October. Vanoy Murillo faces up to 19 years and Lindo over 17 years behind bars.

Colombian officials said they decided to extradite the men because they were still committing crimes from Colombian prisons and had failed to pay restitution to victims of atrocities blamed on the paramilitary group.