Fugitive Extradited from Mexico to Face Drug Trafficking Charges After Almost Seven Years on the Run

SAN DIEGO – Rosa De Arcos, an alleged drug trafficker who fled to Mexico in 2018, was extradited from Mexico Friday and arraigned in federal court on a four-count indictment charging her with importation of, and conspiracy to distribute, methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.

According to public records, De Arcos was arrested in May 2017 for concealing more than 34 pounds of fentanyl in her 2008 Jeep Wrangler. De Arcos was released on bond over the United States’ objection. Unbeknownst to De Arcos, law enforcement had previously obtained and received wiretap communications of De Arcos, and her co-defendant Maria Elena Urena Cervantes and others, discussing their drug trafficking exploits. This included the importation of methamphetamine and cocaine by Urena, aided by De Arcos, months earlier in January 2017, which was later seized by law enforcement.

Urena was arrested months later in December 2017 and was also released on bond. Both defendants made court appearances in 2017 and 2018. The case was scheduled for a jury trial on December 11, 2018, with a status hearing set for November 19, 2018. However, neither of the defendants appeared at the status hearing. Instead, both fled to Mexico. A judge issued no bail arrest warrants. The United States moved to forfeit the bonds.

On December 4, 2018, the grand jury returned the indictment against the women which included bail jumping charges. The United States sought extradition of both defendants. Following Urena’s arrest in Mexico in September 2023, she was extradited to the United States in December 2023 and pleaded guilty in July 2024, admitting to drug trafficking offenses with De Arcos. She is scheduled to be sentenced on December 15, 2025.

For two more years, law enforcement continued to search for De Arcos until April 2025 when she was arrested in Mexico. On August 8, 2025, De Arcos was extradited to the United States.

De Arcos is scheduled for a status hearing on August 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. before the Honorable Thomas J. Whelan.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Orabona and Shauna Prewitt. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Mexico.

DEFENDANT                                                Case Number 17CR1409-W                        

Rosa De Arcos                                                Age: 45                                   Jalisco, Mexico

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a) and 846

Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum of ten years in prison, $10 million fine

Importation of Methamphetamine, and Cocaine – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 952 and 960

Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum of ten years in prison, $10 million fine

Importation of Fentanyl – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 952 and 960

Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum of ten years in prison; $10 million fine

Bail Jumping – Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 3146

Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations

Drug Enforcement Administration

Customs and Border Protection

United States Marshal Service

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

San Bernardino Police Department

U.S. Department of Justice’s, Office of International Affairs

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.