Transcript for Jan. 4, 1990: Manuel Noriega arrested

The US finally got Manuel Noriega into a courtroom today. This afternoon in Miami the man who was so often judge and jury when he ruled Panama was arraigned in a long list of charges. Which include conspiracy racketeering. And drug trafficking his arrest last night was the central objective of the US invasion of Panama up. His arraignment today the first step in what may be a long legal battle to punish him. Our first report is from Miami ABC's mark potter is there. At the Miami federal courthouse late this afternoon general Noriega came to his arraignment dressed in a military uniform. He claimed he is a political prisoner and because he is chief of state should be given diplomatic immunity. Noriega refused to enter a plea on the charges against him so the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Noriega is being held without bond. In Panama last night Noriega was put aboard a C 130 military transport plane for the flight to the US. He was carrying a Bible given him by the Vatican Embassy in Panama City. Noriega was handcuffed and was forced to change his general's uniform for an air force flight suit. Drug agents formally arrested Noriega and read him his rights in Spanish to military doctors also examined him and pronounced him fit to fly. During the flight under jet fighter escort Noriega reportedly joked much of the time but began to cry when the plane started to land. On the ground at homestead air force base he was transferred to a Lear jet and flown on to Miami. Where he was then driven in a heavily guarded motorcade to the federal courthouse again wearing his general's uniform. Once they hit him safely in custody authorities took Noriega's mug shots. He was using his position as the head with a little defense forces to assist the drug dealers in the drug traffic. Noriega faces twelve counts of racketeering conspiracy and drug charges. He is accused of protecting large cocaine shipments from Colombia through Panama to the United States. He is also charged with providing safe haven for some of the world's biggest drug traffickers after they had been linked to the killing of a Colombian Justice Minister. A grand jury says he protected a large cocaine lab in Panama. A range for the sale and transport of chemicals used to make cocaine. And helped launder millions of drug dollars to Panamanian banks. The indictment details nearly five million dollars in bribes Noriega allegedly took in exchange for these services. If convicted of all charges Noriega faced a maximum 145. Year presenter. And more than a million dollars in fines. Also faces marijuana smuggling charges in Tampa. And could still be indicted and animal charges that could include. Carter mark potter ABC news Miami.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.