DRUG CZAR KEEN ON EXTRADITION OF AMEZCUA BROTHERS

MEXICO CITY -- U.S. drug chief Barry McCaffrey described three drug
suspects jailed in Mexico as a threat to the United States, and expressed
hope Monday that the brothers would be extradited.

Mexican authorities captured Luis and Jesus Amezcua in June, echoing U.S.
claims that together with their brother Adan they headed the world's
biggest methamphetamine and ephedrine trafficking operation. But Mexican
prosecutors never brought drug trafficking charges against them.

Citing a lack of evidence, judges threw out charges of money laundering,
tax evasion and criminal association against Jesus in August and Luis this
month -- reportedly causing concern among U.S. anti-drug agencies.

Both men immediately were rearrested on a U.S. extradition warrant, though
it is extremely unusual for courts here to permit the extradition of a
Mexican citizen.

Adan had been arrested earlier and is serving an 18-month sentence on a
weapons charge. Mexican authorities had not yet received any formal
paperwork requesting his extradition.

The Amezcua brothers ``are believed to be a major threat to the U.S.
people. We are keen on seeking their extradition,'' McCaffrey said at a
news conference.

Mexican investigators say the brothers headed the Colima Cartel, whose
operations stretched from Mexico and California to India and Germany. In
interviews with local newspapers, the brothers have denied involvement in
drugs.

U.S. authorities said the gang also shipped methamphetamines from its Los
Angeles area labs to Dallas and then on to Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C.,
for sale.

``The Amezcua case presents a major challenge on both sides. We do have
expectations that with continued cooperation, we will make more advances
toward arresting major drug traffickers,'' said McCaffrey, who arrived late
Sunday for meetings with high-level Mexican officials to prepare for a
major anti-narcotics meeting in Washington later this year.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson