U.S. Marshals & I.C.E. Agents Nab Kidnapper From Mexico

Phoenix, AZ The United States Marshals Service (USMS) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Fabian Granados-Rodriguez at an apartment in West Phoenix on February 24, 2006. Rodriguez was wanted by the Republic of Mexico for Kidnaping. Rodriguez is suspected of being affiliated with the "Los Zetas" in Mexico. Los Zetas were organized in the 1980's by the Mexican government to combat the drug trafficking cartels. Many of the Zetas were lured by higher salaries paid by various drug cartels to conduct kidnapings and murders all over Mexico. Task Force members tracked Rodriguez to an apartment at the 5700 block of West Thomas. During a raid of the apartment, Rodriguez was arrested and his brother, Daniel Granados-Rodriguez was found hiding in a closet. Two semi-automatic firearms were found: Glock 9mm and a Llama .45 caliber. Daniel was arrested for illegally reentering the country after being a deported felon. United States Marshal David Gonzales praised the work of deputies and agents, "This type of coordination between the USMS HIDTA Task Force, ICE and Mexican officials proves to be an effective tool in locating Mexican fugitives who decide to make the United States their hideout." The United States HIDTA Task Force consists of deputies and officers from the U.S. Marshals, Department of Public Safety (DPS), Mesa P.D., Maricopa County Probation Office, U.S. Postal Inspector Service, and Chandler P.D.