Right now - somewhere over the Pacific - rogue arms dealer Viktor Bout is shackled on a U.S.G. plane, surrounded by half a dozen DEA agents. By tonight, the notorious Russian will set foot in New York, to be arraigned tomorrow in Manhattan.

To be honest, I wasn’t so sure we'd see this day. Bout is legendary for arming dictators and terrorists around the globe. He went where others couldn't or wouldn't. Resourceful he surely is. The last two-and-a-half years have been an ordeal.

Back in March 2008, an elaborate DEA sting operation nabbed Bout in Bangkok, attempting to sell shoulder-fired missiles to "FARC terrorists." With the U.S. and Thailand being treaty allies, I thought his extradition was in the bag. Lesson learned: never assume anything about extraditions, especially with a fish as big as Bout, with powerful friends in Moscow.

Russia pressed hard to spring Bout. The Thai judicial process was tough to read. Lots of rumors about Russian machinations and corruption. An August 2009 court decision went Bout's way. Three months ago, the appeal came down to the wire, with many thinking Bout would walk. I made noise with this letter, a Washington Post op-ed and a meeting with the Ambassador. The appeal went our way, but more legal hurdles popped-up. Thailand has been beset with political chaos, and then its PM started sending signals about overturning the legal process! It was getting to where nothing would surprise me. This week Bout's "transfer window" set by the Thai appeals court was set to close.

Then, at 2 am this morning, my staff got an e-mail from a U.S. government source. Subject line: "Wheels up." I got the great news when checking-in with my office before an early CNBC Squawk Box interview. After all of the letters, hearings, meetings with Thai and U.S. officials, press, even a discussion with President Obama, it felt good. Many deserve credit, first and foremost the brave DEA agents who nailed Bout, and the Thais eventually did do the right thing; it's nice to be part of the team when the rule of law wins.

United States security also wins. Doug Farah, who literally wrote the book on Bout, described him as a "master facilitator," arming terrorists. If he'd gone free, I'm sure Bout would have gone on arming those targeting U.S. troops and interests, with a vengeance.

Moscow is bitter. Russia's foreign ministry put out a stinging statement. With Bout’s links to Russian intelligence and military, they're worried what might come out in trial. Perhaps the intrigue surrounding Mr. Bout is just beginning…