Thread: Accused drug-cartel boss wants to be deported to US

Accused drug-cartel boss wants to be deported to US

September 11, 2010
Alexandre Meneghini
Edgar Valdez Villarreal

The Texas-born reputed drug trafficker know as "La Barbie" - a top-level cartel boss recently captured in Mexico - wants the U.S. government to spring him from Mexican custody so he can face justice in the United States.

The Houston lawyer of Edgar Valdez Villarreal sent a formal request to the U.S. ambassador to Mexico this week asking that the United States press Mexico to have Valdez deported as soon as possible.

Valdez is accused of directing a vicious, grisly battle for control of a drug-trafficking organization, as well as fighting other criminal rivals and government forces. Mass killings, beheadings and desecrated bodies are seen as La Barbie's calling cards, but so far he has not been charged with murder in the United States or Mexico.

He was arrested late last month by Mexican federal agents and is being held in Mexico City.

"It is my belief that as long as he is incarcerated in Mexico, his life is in danger from other prisoners and possibly from Mexican authorities," states a copy of the letter provided by Houston attorney Kent Schaffer.

The lawyer has said previously that Valdez knew it was only a matter of time before he was killed or captured and already had begun looking into options should he be caught. After his arrest by Mexican federal police, his alleged confession was posted on news media websites as well as YouTube.

Schaffer said in an interview that his client had not been physically coerced into a confession, but it was made clear that if he didn't say what authorities wanted as the cameras rolled his family would face consequences.

The lawyer said Valdez wants to take his chances in the United States, where many top drug traffickers have ended up making plea agreements, which include providing information to the government in exchange for leniency. They rarely go to trial.

"He and I both understand that in the event that he is deported, he will be placed in the custody of American law enforcement and will be transported to Atlanta, Georgia, to face the pending criminal charges," concludes the letter to the ambassador.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City declined to comment on the matter.

Federal prosecutors filed the most recent charges against Valdez in Atlanta, but he also is wanted in Louisiana and his hometown, Laredo, Texas.

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/border/ ... b322a.html

"It is my belief that as long as he is incarcerated in Mexico, his life is in danger from other prisoners and possibly from Mexican authorities," states a copy of the letter provided by Houston attorney Kent Schaffer.

Honestly, who cares? How many murders did this POS order to maintain his dominance in the drug trade? Why in the world would we want him back? HE MADE HIS BED, NOW LET HIM SLEEP IN IT

"It is my belief that as long as he is incarcerated in Mexico, his life is in danger from other prisoners and possibly from Mexican authorities," states a copy of the letter provided by Houston attorney Kent Schaffer.

So what?

Originally Posted by NoBueno

"It is my belief that as long as he is incarcerated in Mexico, his life is in danger from other prisoners and possibly from Mexican authorities," states a copy of the letter provided by Houston attorney Kent Schaffer.

So what?

EXACTLY! How many times are Americans cautioned that getting out of mexican jails is virtually impossible? Tough noogies for him!