FORT WAYNE—On Thursday, April 29, 2021, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents assigned to Mexico arrived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with 59-year-old Hector Castaneda, who was indicted in the Northern District of Indiana in May of 2012. Castaneda, who is a Mexican national, is charged with one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, one count of distributing cocaine, and two counts of attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Castaneda was located and arrested by Mexican law enforcement authorities in July of 2017 in Tijuana, Mexico, in coordination with FBI Legat Mexico City and the FBI’s Fort Wayne Resident Agency. Since that time, Castaneda has been detained in Mexico pending extradition proceedings.

“The extradition of Mr. Castaneda from Mexico clearly demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to targeting violent individuals responsible for bringing drugs into the United States and holding them accountable, no matter where they are or how long it takes,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify, investigate, and eliminate criminal organizations that harm our communities.”

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force which includes members from the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Police Department, and the Indiana State Police. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Indiana, in Fort Wayne.

The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.