Juarez Cartel Member Extradited To U.S. For Drug Trial

Purported Juarez Cartel associate Felipe Dominguez-Vargas has been extradited from Mexico to stand trial on federal drug trafficking charges, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced.

Mexican authorities arrested Dominguez in November of 2009, and extradited him on Aug. 10. He has been charged with conspiracy to distribute, as well as to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and marijuana.

From October 2007 to March 2009, Dominguez was responsible for the importation of over 1 kilogram of heroin, 5 kilograms of cocaine and over 100 kilograms of marijuana into West Texas for distribution in other parts of the U.S., according to the indictment.

Dominguez and his co-conspirators smuggled the narcotics primarily through El Paso County using a variety of vehicles as well as body carriers.

If convicted, Dominguez faces 10 years to life imprisonment for the importation of heroin and cocaine as well a maximum fine of $4 million. For the importation of marijuana, Dominguez faces five years to 40 years imprisonment as well as a maximum fine of $2 million. Dominguez has waived his detention hearing and will remain in custody pending trial.