[NYTr] Mexico to extradite former gov to US to face drug charges

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by Milt Shapiro (mexnews) - Nov 11, 2007

AP - Nov 7, 2007

Mexico agrees to extradite former governor to U.S. to face drug charges

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEXICO CITY - Mexico's government announced on Wednesday that it has 
agreed to extradite a former state governor to the United States to 
face charges he helped traffickers ship drugs to the U.S. market.

Mario Villanueva, who was governor of the Caribbean state of Quintana 
Roo from 1993 to 1996, served six years in prison in Mexico for money 
laundering but was cleared in this country of drug trafficking and 
organized crime charges.

He was released from prison in June after finishing his sentence but 
was immediately re-apprehended on the extradition request. The U.S. 
alleges that Villanueva offered aid or protection to traffickers who 
smuggled 200 tons of cocaine into the United States. Prosecutors said

Villanueva received $500,000 for each of several shipments he aided.

While other former Mexican governors have been suspected of having 
links to the drug trade, Villanueva would be the first one ever 
extradited to the United States.

Defense lawyer Horacio Garcia said authorities had notified 
Villanueva - who is currently being held at a Mexico City prison - 
that the Foreign Relations Department had decided to approve the 
extradition. In a press statement, the department said Villanueva has 
15 days to appeal the decision, and Garcia said he plans to do so.

Villanueva claims that the U.S. charges are essentially the same ones 
he has already faced - and been acquitted of - in Mexico. He contends 
his extradition would subject him to being tried twice for the same 
offense.

President Felipe Calderón has shown greater willingness to extradite 
drug suspects to the U.S. since taking office in December.