Mexican Drug Trafficker In Brazil For World Cup Arrested, Extradited

A suspected Mexican drug trafficker in Brazil for the World Cup has been arrested, police said Tuesday, according to Reuters.

The Federal Police agency did not reveal the suspects name but said in an emailed statement that the 49-year-old was arrested Monday night at Rio de Janeiro's international airport as he waited to board a plane to the city to Fortaleza where he intended to watch the Mexico and Brazil match on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

"He had tickets to go to the Brazil-Mexico game today," the police said in a statement, adding that the man is wanted for methamphetamine trafficking, according to Reuters.

The Tuesday statement says Mexican authorities want him for trafficking methamphetamines in the western state capital of Guadalajara, according to Reuters.

The authorities also said he is also sought in the United States, which has requested his extradition immediately after his arrest, Reuters reported.

Brazilian authorities said the man was on an Interpol wanted list and was detected when he entered Brazil from Argentina on June 11, Reuters reported.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said in an emailed statement that it had assisted the Federal Police "in this significant arrest, which reflects our ongoing joint efforts to combat international drug trafficking organizations," according to Reuters.

Before his arrest the man had been staying at a hotel in Rio's tourist district with his wife and two children, aged 29 and 17, Reuters reported.

During Tuesday's game in Fortaleza, Mexico and Brazil ended the game in a tie, according to Reuters. The result leaves both teams with four points each after two games in Group A, but Brazil is ahead on goal difference going into their decisive final matches. Croatia and Cameroon meet on Wednesday for their second games after both opened with defeats.

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