Venezuela says it captures pilot sought by US since 2007 on cocaine trafficking charges
By APTuesday, September 22, 2009
Venezuela captures drug suspect wanted by US
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s justice minister says police have captured an American pilot wanted on cocaine smuggling charges in the United States.
Justice minister Tareck El Aissami says the 38-year-old suspect, Julio Mendez, has been sought by the U.S. since 2007.
Judicial police arrested Mendez on Tuesday in the central industrial city of Valencia and authorities said they are eager to turn him over to the U.S.
The minister says he confirmed the suspect’s identity with the U.S. Embassy. The embassy could not be reached independently.
El Aissami held up the arrest as proof of Venezuela’s determination to combat organized crime and drug trafficking. U.S. officials have been critical of Venezuela’s efforts to stop drug smuggling.
Tags: Caracas, Drug-related Crime, Embassies, Latin America And Caribbean, North America, Smuggling, South America, United States, Venezuela
