Mexico extradites 11 fugitives to US

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Suspects and items seized from them are displayed to the press in Tijuana, Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. According to the army, soldiers and police arrested 13 suspects, seized guns, vehicles, tactical gear and thousands of cartridges after a shooting with alleged drug traffickers early Sunday. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Mexico has extradited 11 fugitives, accused of crimes including murder, sex offenses, drug trafficking and money laundering, to face trial in the United States, the Justice Department said Sunday.

"The extradition of these 11 defendants exemplifies the strong cooperative relationship between the United States and Mexico," said Attorney General Eric Holder.

Justice said Mexico has extradited a record 100 fugitives to the United States in 2009. The previous record, 95, was set in 2008.

"Each year since 2001, Mexico has increased the number of defendants it extradites to the United States," Holder said. "By ensuring that alleged criminals are held accountable, we send a strong message that fleeing across the border does not mean you will escape justice."

The fugitives arrived in the U.S. on Saturday and will be transferred to the jurisdictions where they face charges. The extradited defendants are:

— Victor Manuel Contreras Soltero and Arturo Casas Vasquez, indicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for conspiracy to import and to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine.

— Leonardo Vasquez Estrada, charged in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida with conspiracy to commit money laundering and 12 counts of money laundering.

— Jesus Emilio Rivera Pinon, charged in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering.

— Francisco Contreras, charged in Marion County, Ind., with five counts of sexual offenses against a minor.

— Rodolfo Villela Tovar, charged in Travis County, Texas, with murder.

— Jesus Manuel Garza, charged in Sutton County, Texas, with murder and other crimes.

— Cesar Pacheco, charged in El Paso, Texas, with attempted murder, sexual assault and other crimes.

— Gabriel Cabrera Lopez, charged in Riverside County, Calif., for sex offenses against a child.

— Arnoldo Vargas Esteves, charged in Riverside County, Calif., with murder.

— Joel Nunez Valles, charged in Howard County, Md., with murder and robbery.

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