Extraditing Mexican Nationals in the Fight Against International Narcotics Crimes

In recent years, Mexican narcotics trafficking has become a major threat to the security of the Americas. Mexican narco-traffickers have used their wealth and violence to corrupt political and judicial systems and avoid effective prosecution or penalty in Mexican courts. Historically, Mexico has refused to extradite its nationals in reliance on Mexican law prohibiting the extradition of nationals in all but "exceptional" cases. This Note argues that Mexico should take a step toward controlling the cross-border narcotics trade and recognize international drug trafficking as an "exceptional" crime.

Upon recognizing narcotics crimes as "exceptional," Mexico should then begin extraditing Mexican narco-traffickers to the United States.