Mexican judge absolves Avila Beltran reputed drug cartel 'queen'

The Associated Press: Mexican judge absolves reputed drug cartel 'queen': "Mexican judge Friday acquitted a reputed drug cartel 'queen' of organized crime and other charges, the latest setback for a judicial system that has failed to convict the majority of suspects captured for drug crimes.
Judge Fernando Cordova del Valle ruled that prosecutors failed to bring enough evidence against Sandra Avila Beltran, described by U.S. and Mexican officials as a major decision-maker for the Sinaloa gang, Mexico's most powerful cartel. The 'Queen of the Pacific' had been charged with organized crime, conspiracy to traffic drugs and money laundering.
Avila Beltran, who was arrested in September 2007 by more than 30 federal agents as she sipped coffee in a Mexico City diner, has faced a U.S. extradition request since November 2007.
The request relates to the 2001 seizure of more than 9 tons of U.S.-bound cocaine aboard a fishing vessel in the port of Manzanillo, along Mexico's west coast.
It was unclear if Avila, who remains in a Mexico City prison, still faces lesser charges or if the ruling Friday would affect the extradition process. The Attorney General's Office said it could not immediately comment.
Her boyfriend, Colombian Juan Diego Espinoza Ramirez, was also absolved in the same ruling. However, Espinoza was extradited to Florida in December 2008 on charges related to the cocaine shipment. Mexican law allows suspects to be extradited to the U.S. even while they are facing trial in the Mexico."