Crime
Mexican authorities extradite accused human trafficker to New York for prosecution
The individual, along with relatives, engaged in the recruitment of young women, illegally transporting them across the border and forcing them into prostitution in the United States to generate profits
September 11, 2023 9:10am
Updated: September 11, 2023 9:10am
The Attorney General's Office (FGR) of Mexico announced on Sunday the extradition of Giovanni Hernández Velázquez to the United States, who is accused of operating a human trafficking network from 2001 to 2019, in collaboration with several family members.
Giovanni "H," widely recognized in Mexican media as Giovanni Hernández Velázquez. Alongside his family, they allegedly established a human trafficking organization that operated for nearly two decades, involved in recruiting young women and unlawfully transporting them from Mexico to the United States, where they were coerced into prostitution.
Hernández Velázquez, along with relatives, engaged in the recruitment of young women, illegally transporting them across the border and forcing them into prostitution in the United States to generate profits, according to the FGR.
In a formal statement, the FGR revealed that the extradited individual will be facing potential charges related to organized crime, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, conspiracy, human trafficking, and illicit financial transactions.
This extradition was carried out in accordance with the Extradition Treaty signed between Mexico and the United States. The FGR stated that they have handed over "a Mexican national sought by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York" to the United States Government.
The individual in question was apprehended in February of this year in the municipality of Tenancingo, located in the state of Tlaxcala, central Mexico. Following extensive efforts by the FGR, the Mexican Government granted extradition to the United States, facilitating the legal process.
The handover of the individual took place at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM), where U.S. agents designated for the transfer to the United States received custody.
It is noteworthy that the extradition agreement between Mexico and the United States was originally signed in 1978, with the first extraditions commencing in 1995.
