Agents transfer Zetas cartel member to Mexican authorities
DONNA — Federal agents turned over a suspected member of the Zetas drug cartel to the Mexican government on Thursday.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested Jose Eduardo Aleman Chavez, 36, during a southbound inspection Wednesday at the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge.
CBP officers working southbound enforcement at the bridge encountered a blue GMC pickup truck as it attempted to cross from the U.S. into Mexico.
A man riding in the truck, identified as Chavez, a 36-year-old Mexican national, was escorted to secondary inspection for further examination.
A check of the man's name in national criminal databases revealed an arrest warrant for Aleman in Mexico from Interpol on organized crime and theft charges.
Officers identified Aleman as a member of the Zetas and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
ICE agents handed over Chavez to Mexican authorities on Thursday, officials said.
The Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge was inaugurated last month.
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Jared Taylor covers courts, law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.
