MISSISSIPPI DRUG KINGPIN LABELED ONE OF THE U.S. MARSHALS
“15 MOST WANTED” IS CAPTURED IN MEXICO

Washington, DC – Mexican authorities arrested U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitive David Warner in Toluca, Mexico, a city southwest of Mexico City, Friday, July 8. U.S. Marshals had developed information that the fugitive was living in Mexico. Information was forwarded to the U.S. Marshals’ Foreign Field Office in Mexico and provided to the Agencia Federal de Investigation (AFI). The AFI investigation confirmed that Warner was residing in a gated upscale neighborhood. AFI and the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) arrested Warner for violating the immigrations laws of Mexico. After INM officials determined that Warner had no legal status to reside in Mexico, Warner was expelled from Mexico. Upon landing in McAllen, TX, U.S. Marshals took custody of the fugitive.

Known by the nickname of “Super Dave,” Warner was the subject of an intense investigation by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as the ringleader of a multiple count drug conspiracy. Warner is alleged to have managed an operation that distributed more than 8,000 kilograms of marijuana and more than 500 kilograms of cocaine in the central Mississippi area. In addition, there have been allegations of witness intimidation and official corruption which have elevated the degree of danger concerning Warner’s criminal activities. Warner had been on the run for just over a year.

“Warner’s arrest is a great example of our agency’s international efforts and abilities around the globe,” said Benigno Reyna, U.S. Marshal Director. “With the U.S. Marshals’ Foreign Field Office in Mexico and the cooperative relationships it has established in country, it was only a matter of time before Warner would be brought to justice.”

The U.S. Marshals are the nation’s primary fugitive hunting organization and capture more federal fugitives each year than all other national law enforcement agencies combined. In addition, U.S. Marshals operate more than 80 local task forces comprised of federal state and local partners for the pursuit of fugitives wanted for violent or drug related state offenses.

Additional information may be obtained at the U.S. Marshals website at http://www.usmarshals.gov/news/chron/15/warner.htm.