Judge won't stop extradition in Mexican drug case

By NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal judge has denied a Chinese-Mexican businessman's attempts to block extradition from the United States to face drug charges in Mexico.

Zhenli Ye Gon has been jailed in the United States since July 2007 when authorities seized more than $205 million from his Mexico City mansion. At the time, U.S. authorities said it was the largest drug-related cash seizure in history.

He had been charged with importing methamphetamine into the United States, but the U.S. charges were dismissed after a witness recanted and another refused to testify.

Ye Gon claimed chemicals he imported were for use in legitimate prescription drugs. He fought to stay in the United States because he said he couldn't receive a fair trial in Mexico. U.S. Magistrate Judge John Facciola denied his request Wednesday.