United States Drug Enforcement Administration

EL PASO, TX - Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge of the El Paso Division of the Drug Enforcement (DEA), and John Murphy, United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas, announced on January 27, 2011, that Carlos Mario Gomez-Muro was extradited by Mexico to the United States to stand trial on cocaine trafficking charges.

Gomez is the subject of a DEA and Federal Bureau of Investigation Strike Force investigation and is alleged to be the head of a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization aligned with the Sinaloa Cartel, which was responsible for the importation of large quantities of cocaine and its subsequent transportation to various cities within the United States for distribution. It is further alleged that the couriers received bulk cash proceeds from the sale of drugs, which were transported back to El Paso and smuggled across the border to Gomez and other members of the organization in Mexico.

The United States sought the extradition of Gomez, following his detention in Juarez by Mexican authorities, in June 2010.

The DEA El Paso Division encourages parents, and their children to visit the following interactive websites at www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.JustThinkTwice.comand www.dea.gov.