US is Seeking El Tolín's Extradition

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Sinaloa Cartel - Los Rusos lieutenant Héctor Herrera, alias “El Tolín”, seemed to be getting merely a slap on the wrist with a single firearms possession charge being sought against him by Baja California prosecutors. But then, yesterday, the Attorney General had a major announcement at a press conference about possible US extradition for El Tolín. 

It Seemed Only A Firearm Possession Charge Was Being Pursued

On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, an initial hearing was held in the case of Sinaloa Cartel member Héctor Herrera, alias “El Tolín”. As previously covered, Tolín was arrested three days earlier, in Rosarito, after hitmen shot at him while he was leaving a barbershop with three of his children. Tolín survived the attack and was arrested near the hospital shortly after. For the full details, please see this previous story.

On July 5, El Tolín was transported in an armored truck within the city of Tijuana. He was taken from La Mesa penitentiary, where he is currently being held, to the Federal Judiciary courthouse, which is located off the Vía Rápida (expressway). His transportation was guarded by both municipal and state police officers as well as Army (SEDENA) and National Guard soldiers. 

The hearing was held privately and no access was given to journalists. The detainee and his legal team were physically present within the courtroom but the judge presided over the case remotely. 

According to Zeta Tijuana, El Tolín’s lawyers requested an extension of 144 hours in order to structure their defense for the arraignment hearing, which the judge approved. The judge also ruled that Tolín being held in La Mesa penitentiary until the arraignment hearing was legal and would continue. 

Tolín was then loaded back into the armored transport vehicle, all traffic on the expressway was halted for five minutes and he was taken back to La Mesa. 

On July 8, 2022, the same transport procedure was repeated and in court, a judge determined that there was enough evidence of Tolín’s alleged firearm possession that he should have to stand trial for the charge. 

In an article published on July 8, 2022, Zeta Tijuana revealed that “no ministerial authority in Mexico or the United States has investigation files against [Tolín] Infante, he will only face the possession of the firearm [...] according to the analysis of lawyers, he will regain his freedom in a very short time.”

They made the cover of their weekly magazine the image below and the headline read “Quedará Libre” or “will be released.”

According to Zeta, Tolín has no prior convictions nor have any prior charges been filed against him. His lack of priors will likely play a role in the sentencing if he is found guilty on the firearm possession charge. 

The Unexpected Announcement: Possible US Extradition

Then during the state Attorney General Office (FGE) weekly press conference, which was held on July 9, 2022, an unexpected announcement was made. 

Iván Carpio Sánchez, the Attorney General, said that the FGE collaborates with many law enforcement groups, including groups in the United States. 

And he added, "without violating the trust that they [US authorities] have given us, I am able to confirm that they say he has [criminal] investigations on file in that country and they are looking into the possibility of extraditing him for federal crimes.”

Video Source: Cadena Noticias

He said US authorities consider Tolín a person of interest for crimes such as “drug trafficking, carrying firearms, and issues that have to do with drug trafficking.”

The Attorney General added that while Tolín is in prison, the authorities of both countries are working together to ensure that El Tolín will not be released from custody until "he already has a guaranteed exit ticket to a federal prison in the US.”

In order to fully ensure that Tolín remains in custody until that point, the Attorney General said the FGE will attempt to prosecute Tolín on a different charge, in addition to the firearm possession charge he already faces.  

The other charge comes from an old 2015 case in which El Tolín allegedly resisted law enforcement authorities and caused injuries to police officers. The Attorney General said his office is currently reviewing the evidence in that investigative 205 file. 

The Attorney General also confirmed that one of Tolín’s sons, who is only 15 years old, is also currently being held in jail. It was not specified why the son is in custody but it was alleged online that said son carried a firearm and shot back at the hitmen attacking them during the Rosarito barbershop attack.

Only One Charge Sources: Zeta Tijuana Article 1, Article 2, Zeta Tijuana Podcast, El Imparcial

US Extradition Sources: Milenio, Zeta Tijuana, AFN Tijuana, Alfredo Alvarez, Esquina 32, Cadena Noticias, Noticias Megavision, EL4toPODER