NOVEMBER 9, 2011, 12:32 P.M. ET.

Feds say drug cartel leader to face NY charges

Associated Press

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — A leader of an alleged drug cartel who fled to Mexico in 2003 has been returned to New York. He is accused of importing tons of marijuana into the United States.

Bruno Garcia-Arreola is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in federal court in Central Islip. His attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Federal prosecutors say Arreola was arrested in Mexico in April after jumping bail in 2003.

A bail detention letter identifies him as a leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. It argues that Arreola should be held without bail.

The cartel's leader, Joaquin Guzman, became the FBI and Interpol's most wanted after the death of Osama bin Laden.

Authorities say Arreola was arrested in Las Vegas in 2003, but fled after posting an unsecured $20,000 bond.

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