Mexico kingpin pleads guilty to drug smuggling

The leader of a Mexico-based organization that arranged to smuggle large amounts of marijuana for distribution in San Diego and other U.S. destinations pleaded guilty today to a drug conspiracy count.

Fidel Chan Amador, 42, was arrested in Mexicali in November 2005 on murder and other charges and had been held in Mexico City until being extradited to the United States last Dec. 31 on the marijuana conspiracy charge.

According to the plea agreement, Chan arranged with others to transport large loads of marijuana across the border dating back to 1996.

Eighteen people were originally charged in the case. Prosecutors said Chan, operating out of Tijuana, coordinated several large loads of marijuana which were transported across the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and avoided apprehension until Mexican authorities took him into custody four years ago.

Chan is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Irma Gonzalez on Jan. 25.

City News Service wrote and edited this story.

Tags: Fidel Chan Amador, marijuan smuggler, SDNN

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