STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT REGARDING THE CAPTURE
OF MEXICAN DRUG LORD BENJAMIN ARELLANO-FELIX

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Working with Mexican authorities, the Department of Justice announced the capture of Benjamin Arellano-Felix, head of one of the largest and most violent drug trafficking organizations in the world. Arellano-Felix is indicted out of the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of California for cocaine trafficking and money laundering violations. His capture has been a priority of the Department's Drug Enforcement Administration and Mexican authorities since 1992. Arellano-Felix is on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List.

Attorney General John Ashcroft issued the following statement:

"International cooperation is key in fighting crime. Today's capture of this violent drug lord demonstrates what can be accomplished when U.S. agencies work together with our friends in Mexico to achieve a common objective - keeping our children free from a world of drugs.

"As Attorney General, I reaffirm the Bush Administration's commitment to bring to justice those who poison our nation with drugs and violence. The Department of Justice remains strong in its resolve never to lose sight of its vision of a drug-free America.

"I applaud the efforts of the President Vicente Fox, the Mexican Attorney's Office, the Mexican Military, the DEA, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office from the Southern District of California for their commitment to this mission."

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