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News
Release DEA
ADMINISTRATOR APPLAUDS DRUG AND Asa Hutchinson, Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), praised the efforts of the Government of Mexico today for the round up of government officials who aided drug traffickers. Administrator Hutchinson's statements follow efforts by Mexican soldiers, military police and members of the Mexican Attorney General's Office (PGR) who entered a state police academy yesterday in the border-city of Tecate and arrested over 40 law enforcement officers for drug related crimes. Among those arrested were Tijuana's Chief of Police, Carlos Otal, Assistant State Attorney General of Baja California, Rogelio Delgado-Neri, the First Commandante of the State Judicial Police in Tijuana, Sergio Riedel-Borico and the First Sub-Commandante of the PGR in Mexicali, Armando Martinez-Duarte. The arrested individuals will be charged with violations of the Mexican Organized Crime Law and Corruption. "The initiative taken by the Government of Mexico under the Fox Administration against drug traffickers, and those assisting drug traffickers, is unprecedented. The Government of Mexico continues to send a clear message that drug traffickers do not rule Mexico and that laws will be enforced," said Administrator Hutchinson. "Most significantly, these arrests follow the dismantling of the leadership of the violent Arellano-Felix Organization (AFO) and will reduce the possibility that another organization will dominate the Tijuana area." Yesterday's actions come on the heels of Mexico's arrest of Benjamin Arellano-Felix, leader of the AFO. Benjamin's brother, Ramon, had been killed by police on February 10. He was the organization's chief enforcer. "We will continue to support the Mexican government in any way possible in their anti-drug efforts," continued Administrator Hutchinson. "The Fox Administration is demonstrating just how serious it takes this problem." For additional information, please contact DEA's Office of Public Affairs at 202-307-7977. |
