Huge topic for Commanders. They were the favorites for smuggling for all the reasons you mention.
The 980 in the article is 95052, which has been in Mexico or latin america since new. I know that Eagle Creek has done a number of Renaissance conversions for the Colombian government, not sure where those airframes came from originally. I also know that the Mexican government has seized a number of Commanders over the years, and then put them into service.
I'm sure others would know more. I hope 95052 is back in regular operation!