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.