DRUG-TRAFFICKING SUSPECT MAY BE EXTRADITED TO U.S.

Mexico's Supreme Court yesterday ruled that a man suspected of being a top
drug trafficker can be extradited to the United States to face charges if
he is arrested by Mexican police. The court upheld a lower court ruling
that rejected Miguel Caro Quintero's effort to block his extradition, a
court official said on condition of anonymity.

Caro Quintero allegedly controls a large portion of drug trafficking along
Mexico's northwestern border with the United States.

Caro Quintero is wanted on several U.S. charges, most recently a 1994
indictment in Arizona alleging money laundering and marijuana trafficking,
Molesa said. The United States has asked Mexico to arrest him.

He has reportedly headed a cocaine and marijuana ring based in the northern
state of Sonora since 1985, when his brother, Rafael, was imprisoned in the
murder of U.S. drug agent Enrique Camarena.