One of Mexico's best-known reputed female drug traffickers, Sandra Ávila Beltrán, called the "Queen of the Pacific," has been transferred to the immigration detention center in El Paso awaiting deportation to México.
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Ávila Beltrán was extradited to the United States and accused of conspiring to import and distribute cocaine throughout the country from 1999-2004, but was absolved of all charges except having helped her boyfriend Juan Diego Espinosa Ramírez, one of the most important links in the Sinaloa cartel, evade capture by authorities.
U.S. federal judge Michael Moore, sentenced Ávila Beltrán, 52, to 70 months of prison. "It is 70 months counting from 28 September 2007, when she was arrested in Mexico, therefore she could be set free on the next weekend," her lawyer, Steven Ralls, told reporters after the sentencing on July 25.
Ávila Beltrán, who built a reputation for her lavish lifestyle and links between high-ranking members of the Sinaloa and Colombian Norte del Valle cartels, arrived at the El Paso Processing Center Wednesday morning from the South Louisiana Correctional Center. She is expected to be deported to Mexico City today.
Leticia Zamarripa, a spokesperson for ICE in El Paso, did not confirm or deny the transfer and offered no details. DEA officials also said they could not comment for operational reasons. However, she did confirm that Ávila Beltrán has been in ICE's custody since July 30 awaiting deportation proceedings.
Steven Ralls, who spoke with Ávila Beltrán a few days ago, revealed she's "optimistic, positive and in a good mood." "We don't know what's going to happen. All we know is she is going to Mexico and won't be able to return to the U.S." he said.
He said that Jalisco authorities might want to detain his client over some money laundering accusations. "If there is a felony warrant against her in México, then she will be handed to the proper authorities once she gets to the Mexican border, if not, she's free to go."
However, the attorney general's office said there's no warrant against her, so once she enters México, she'll be a free woman.
Ávila Beltrán, who is the niece of Mexican drug trafficker Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, had previously said she was innocent of all drug charges against her. She had described herself as a housewife who earned a living selling clothes and renting houses.
Once she's back in México, she plans on living a low-key, family life.
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