see also: in March 2008:   Summer Months an Added Challenge for Border Patrol   Los Meses de Verano, un Reto Para la Patrulla Fronteriza   Border Patrol Agents Rescue 38 Illegal Aliens from Smuggling Attempt   Laredo North Station Border Patrol Agents Arrest MS-13 Member   Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Arrest 18th Street Gang Member   El Paso CBP Officers View HDTV: Hidden Drugs in TV Set   El Paso Border Patrol Agents Arrest Criminals with Extensive Records ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Miami - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Miami International Airport intercepted an international fugitive on Tuesday, March 18, as he attempted to transit through the United States en route to his home in Canada. The fugitive was returned to France in keeping with a 1996 Bilateral Extradition Treaty between the United States and France, to face Rape and Attempted Rape charges.

Amaro Rodrigues, a 54-year-old citizen of Canada, was vacationing in Barbados when he was identified by Barbadian authorities as a fugitive of France. Barbados authorities notified the U.S. Department of State that Mr. Rodrigues would be traveling to the United States.

Upon his arrival at Miami International Airport, Mr. Rodrigues was stopped by CBP officers for questioning. During the interview, CBP officials contacted the International Criminal Police Organization, known as Interpol, to determine if an active warrant existed, and if France would pursue extradition of the fugitive. CBP’s liaison to Interpol coordinated with the Interpol liaisons from the U.S. Marshal Service, Diplomatic Security Services, and the Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office and determined that Mr. Rodrigues was the subject of an Interpol Warrant issued in France, charging him with Rape, and Attempt of Rape. France sent a Provisional Arrest Warrant to the U.S. Department of Justice. The document was translated and sent to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami, who presented an extradition complaint to a federal judge.

Mr. Rodrigues was detained by CBP, and turned over to the U.S. Marshal Service for extradition to France to face criminal charges.

“This case exemplifies an extraordinary level of interagency and international cooperation, resulting in the arrest and extradition of a dangerous fugitive,” said CBP’s Director of Field Operations Harold Woodward. “Working together, we make the world safer for everyone,” he added.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.