TUCSON, Ariz. – LAWFUEL – A U.S. Citizen wanted by Mexican authorities to finish serving a 12-year prison sentence for drug possession is being held in federal custody without bond following his arrest late last week by the U.S. Marshals Service. Antonio Guillen-Alvarez, aka Isaias Salas, was arrested in the early morning hours last Thursday, March 13, in Rio Rico, Ariz. He is being held pending his extradition to Mexico.
The Mexican government stated that on March 23, 1994, Guillen-Alvarez was arrested by Mexican federal agents in an airport located in Colima, Mexico as he and two other individuals attempted to smuggle a large amount of marijuana on board a plane in several suitcases. Guillen-Alvarez was convicted of drug possession and sentenced to 12 years in prison. After some intervening appellate proceedings, a new arrest warrant was issued on March 13, 1996. Guillen-Alvarez has over 10 years remaining on his sentence.
Guillen-Alvarez was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals Service HIDTA HEAT Task Force/ Mexico Investigative Liaison located in Arizona after he pulled into a gas service station in Rio Rico. During the course of a federal investigation, information was gathered that Guillen-Alvarez was living in Rio Rico under an alias. Alvarez was taken into custody without incident.
Drug possession is an extraditable offense under Article 2, Appendix Item 14, of the Extradition Treaty between the United States and Mexico. The extradition is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina M. Cabanillas, on behalf of the Mexican government, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service.
MAG NUMBER: 08-00122M-TUC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2008-064(Guillen-Alvarez)
