Mexico Court Denies U.S. Extradition Request Due to Potential Life Sentence

On May 22, 2002 a Mexican federal court denied a U.S. extradition request for Jesus Amezcua, who is charged in California with drug trafficking and money laundering. The Mexican Supreme Court had denied extradition of some 70 defendants facing life sentences in the U.S. capable of rehabilitation and hence prohibits life sentence. Amezcua is one of three brothers who are considered among the drug lords in Mexico and have considerable economic and political power in Mexico. The court issued a lengthy opinion explaining its decision.