Pubdate: Tue, 26 Sep 2006
Source: San Antonio Express-News (TX)
Copyright: 2006 San Antonio Express-News
Contact:  http://www.mysanantonio.com/expressnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/384

EXTRADITION A SIGNAL U.S., MEXICO WORKING TOGETHER

Are The United States And Mexico Entering A New Era Of  Cooperation 
In The War On Drugs?

The extradition earlier this month of a member of a  famed Mexican 
drug-trafficking family to the United  States would seem to signal 
some sort of united effort.

Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix, a member of the  notorious Tijuana 
Cartel, was transported Sept. 16 by  helicopter to Brownsville, where 
he was turned over to  U.S. authorities. He faces prosecution on 
26-year-old  cocaine possession charges out of San Diego, Calif.

The crime with which he is charged is minor, but the  fact that 
efforts are being made to bring him to  justice on decades-old 
charges raises optimism that the  United States is not fighting the 
drug war alone.

U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza, who had warned American  tourists about 
traveling along the U.S. border because  of cartel-related violence, 
hailed the extradition as a  positive step in the drug war.

"While Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix may not be the  head of the 
drug cartel named for his family, his  extradition to the U.S. should 
be a clear signal that  we will pursue relentlessly those at all 
levels who  continue to wage war on our communities," Garza 
told  Dane Schiller, Express-News Mexico City bureau chief.

The drug war being fought along the border is hurting  the economy 
and innocent people in both countries. It  is in the best interest of 
everyone involved to work  together toward a resolution.

It is not a problem that will be resolved overnight.  Only by law 
enforcement on both sides continuously  chipping away at the 
foundation of these warring  factions will the lawless networks come 
tumbling down.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine