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Public Safety

Drug Cartel Leaders Extradited From Mexico Face Charges In San Diego

Drug Cartel Leaders Extradited From Mexico Face Charges In San Diego
Mexico has extradited 15 people wanted for crimes in the United States. A dozen are charged with federal drug crimes and three face state charges for violent crimes.

Mexico has extradited 15 people wanted for crimes in the United States. Twelve are charged with federal drug crimes and three face state charges for violent crimes.

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges two of the men were high ranking drug cartel members.

Officials say Rigoberto Yanez was the head hancho for Tijuana's Arellano Felix Cartel in Mexico City..

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Yanez faces organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering charges in San Diego.

The other alleged big gun, Jose Rodolfo Escajeda, purportedly trafficked drugs in Texas.

Also on the list is a man who supposedly smuggled more than 20 tons of cocaine through a cross-border tunnel in Naco, Arizona. He'd supposedly stored a ton of cocaine in his home.

Mexico extradited a record 107 people in 2009. Extraditions this year are on pace to break the record. They're part of Mexican President Felipe Calderon's strategy to crackdown on organized crime.

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