FBIS3-41087
"jptdd005__l94024"
JPRS-TDD-94-005-L
Document Type:JPRS
Document Title:Narcotics
1 February 1994
LATIN AMERICA
MEXICO
Cali Cartel Member Sierra Rodriguez Recaptured, Awaiting Extradition
94WB0020E Mexico City EXCELSIOR in Spanish 2 Jan 94 pp 5-A,
14-A
94WB0020E
Mexico City EXCELSIOR
Language: Spanish
Article Type:CSO
[Article by Rafael Medina Cruz]
[Text] Fewer than 48 hours after having regained his
freedom, and at the request of the United States Embassy in
Mexico, Federal Judicial Police [PJF] agents recaptured the
Spanish drug trafficker, Jose Luis Sierra Rodriguez, a Cali
Cartel member, in Mexico City. He could be turned over to U.S.
authorities within the next few days, to be tried for crimes
against health and for the laundering of money originating in
narcotics sales.
The PGR [Office of the Attorney General of the Republic]
stressed: "Sierra Rodriguez's capture, based on a provisional
arrest warrant for extradition purposes, represents a highly
significant achievement in the battle against the drug traffic.
This is particularly true because information has been inferred
from this subject's statements making it possible to capture 10
members of his organization in Ecuador, as well as several drug
dealers in the United States."
It added that the Spaniard, whose criminal organization is
headed by the Colombian, Antonio Bermudez and operates in
Mexico, as well as in Colombia, Ecuador, and the neighboring
country to the north, was first apprehended in Cancun, Quintana
Roo. Although over a ton of cocaine base was seized from him in
that town, a Campeche State federal judge released him two days
later.
The PGR explained that on 18 December of last year, Sierra
Rodriguez and four other persons, including these two
Colombians, were captured in Cancun because of their connections
with the smuggling of narcotics (cocaine) into the country.
Although there was evidence attesting to the Spaniard's presumed
guilt, the second district court of criminal proceedings in
Campeche State freed him.
Indicating that Sierra Rodriguez must answer for crimes
against health, money laundering, and violation of the General
Law on Population in our country, the PGR noted that he is
wanted by the U.S. authorities, accused of crimes of drug
trafficking and laundering funds from the marketing of drugs. He
was using the name Luis Cohen for those purposes.
The PGR added: "When the foregoing information was
confirmed,
the U.S. Embassy in Mexico requested this subject's extradition
through official channels. As a result, the pertinent order for
his provisional arrest for extradition purposes was sought from
the Eighth District Court of Criminal Proceedings in the Federal
District. It was granted and implemented by the Federal Judicial
Police," under orders from Commander Adrian Carrera Fuentes.
On the same occasion, the institution emphasized that the
capture of the Spaniard and the other members of Antonio
Bermudez's ring by personnel from the PJF operational
directorate, headed by Commander Victor Patino Esquivel, is one
of the most severe blows dealt to the international drug
traffic. It indicated that its battle against this social cancer
will have to be intensified.