Press Releases 07
Extradition of Former Police Officer Wanted for Drug Smuggling
and Money Laundering
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Mexico City, August 10, 2007 - "I am pleased to announce
that Maria Antonieta Rodriguez Mata was extradited today from
Mexico to stand trial in the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Texas on U.S. federal drug trafficking
and money laundering charges.
“Mexican citizen Rodriguez Mata, a former police officer
in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, is accused of being the
leader of a Reynosa-based organization responsible for the
distribution of large quantities of cocaine and marijuana
in the United States, as well as the collection and transportation
of illegal drug sale profits back to organization members.
“Mexican authorities arrested Rodriguez Mata in February
2004 for the purpose of extradition to the United States,
and the Mexican government approved her extradition in September
2006. Rodriguez Mata’s appeals to Mexican courts were ultimately
denied on August 3, 2007, clearing the way for her surrender
to United States authorities.
“Any police officer, anywhere, who breaks the law and abuses
the confidence of the citizens he or she has sworn to protect
must be brought to justice. Rodriguez Mata’s extradition to
face criminal charges in Texas is yet another example of successful
cooperation between United States and Mexican law enforcement
officials to combat drug trafficking." |
