U.S. approves Zhenli Ye Gon’s extradition to Mexico

U.S. Supreme Court approved businessman Zhenli Ye Gon’s extradition to Mexico, where he faces drug charges.

Magistrate Judge John Facciola, who had postponed the extradition several times at the request of Ye Gon's defense attorneys, by arguing he could not get a fair trial in Mexico, ordered the accused to remain in custody until he was handed over to Mexican authorities.

The Chinese-Mexican businessman is accused of smuggling chemicals as well as money laundering, and is currently held in a prison in the State of Virginia.

Mexican authorities found US$207 million in cash at a Mexico City's Lomas de Chapultepec house owned by Ye Gon in March 2007.

He was then linked to 19.5 tons of pseudoephedrine seized in a port city in the southern state of Michoacán in late 2006.

The 48-year-old businessman was arrested in July 2007 by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Ye Gon will face charges of drug trafficking, arms and money laundering in Mexico.