TARGETING THE ARELLANOS

New Indictment Turns Up The Heat

It has been obvious for years that only the most determined efforts of the
U.S. and Mexican governments, working closely together, could bring down
the Tijuana-based Arellano-Felix drug trafficking cartel. Yesterday in San
Diego, both governments provided a dramatic display of that cooperation.

The U.S. Attorney's office, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration
jointly announced a 10-count indictment against the top two leaders of the
Arellano-Felix organization. Benjamin Arellano-Felix and his younger
brother Ramon were indicted on multiple counts of drug trafficking,
including conspiring to smuggle huge quantities of cocaine and marijuana
into the United States, launder their drug profits and aid in the
commission of crimes of violence to protect their criminal enterprise.

To encourage the Arellanos' apprehension, it also was announced that the
U.S. State Department is expanding its $2 million reward for information
leading to the arrest and conviction of Ramon Arellano-Felix to include
Benjamin as well. Toll-free hotlines in both Mexico and the United States
plus an e-mail address for tips on the Arellanos' whereabouts also were
announced.

After years of frustration and failure in trying to counter a powerful AFO
operating with virtual impunity within sight of the U.S. border,
yesterday's developments were welcome. Indeed, they were long overdue.

Equally welcome was an additional sign that the Mexican government, too,
may finally be getting serious about the Arellanos. Mariano Herran
Salvatti, head of Mexico's principal anti-drug agency and a representative
of Mexico's federal attorney general, was flown from Mexico City to San
Diego yesterday to appear at the press conference.

Herran said the Mexican government was offering its own reward, about
$450,000, for the Arellanos' apprehension. The Arellanos are wanted in
Mexico for murder, drug trafficking and related charges. Herran also
announced extensive new charges being filed against Ismael Higuera
Guerrero, the AFO's recently captured operations chief.

Herran repeated the Mexican government's assertion that it is pressing an
all-out offensive against the Arellanos and their drug syndicate. If that
is, and remains, true, Herran will find eager allies among U.S. law
enforcement agencies. The indictment unsealed yesterday in U.S. district
court here represents the product of years of work by a federal task force
targeting the Arellanos. U.S. law enforcement here should have no higher
priority than breaking the AFO, a vast criminal enterprise that threatens
Mexico and the United States alike.

U.S. Attorney Gregory A. Vega believes that the additional pressure Mexico
appears to be applying might push the Arellanos north of the border. In
that event, Vega wants to ensure that there is no chance the brothers or
any of their criminal associates might find a covert safe haven here.

"You are wanted in Mexico, you are wanted in the United States. You cannot
hide,' said San Diego FBI chief William Gore. That should now be the
relentlessly pursued goal of both governments.