U.S. OFFERS $2.2 MILLION FOR MEXICAN DRUG BOSS

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government offered a record $2.2 million reward
Thursday for the capture of a Mexican fugitive accused of murdering an
undercover U.S. agent during a drug purchase in 1994.

The reward was posted for one of the FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives,
Augustin Vasquez Mendoza, believed to be 26, a native of Apatzingan,
Mexico.

Vasquez Mendoza is believed to have fled to Mexico after the June 30, 1994,
killing of Richard Fass, an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Vasquez Mendoza is believed to be still hiding in Mexico.

Working undercover, Fass was fatally wounded in Glendale, Ariz., by
henchmen of Vasquez Mendoza as Fass was buying 22 pounds of methamphetamine
from them for $160,000, the government said.

"Special Agent Fass was murdered by Vasquez Mendoza and his criminal
associates," said Drug Enforcement Administrator Thomas Constantine. "The
two triggermen were arrested as they fled the scene and the third
accomplice as captured in Los Angeles a few days later. The criminal
mastermind, Vasquez Mendoza, escaped. We are committing all our resources
to capturing this murderous coward."

DEA agents in Phoenix are operating a toll-free number, 1-888-853-4961,
around the clock to receive any tips.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson