A fugitive featured on the FBI's prestigious Ten Most Wanted list has been apprehended in a coordinated operation in Mexico, marking a significant victory for US law enforcement.
Sting Operation Nets Long-Sought Suspect
Alejandro Rosales Castillo was taken into custody in the city of Pachuca, Mexico, on Friday. The arrest was confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel via social media. Castillo had been a fugitive since being charged in connection with the 2016 murder of his former colleague, Truc Quan 'Sandy' Ly Le, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Her body was discovered in a wooded area of Cabarrus County. Following the murder charges, a federal warrant was issued by the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, accusing Castillo of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
A Record Year for Fugitive Captures
Director Patel highlighted the significance of the capture within a broader trend. "This is the FIFTH Ten Most Wanted Fugitive captured under this FBI in one year, since the beginning of 2025," he stated on X. He emphasised that this number "exceeds captures from the entire previous four years combined."
Patel attributed this success to investigative work and leadership, thanking US President Donald Trump and the Department of Justice for "letting good cops be cops." He concluded his statement with a firm promise: "Justice will be done."
Extradition Process Now Underway
Following his arrest, Castillo is now being held in detention in Mexico City. The legal process for his extradition back to North Carolina to face the charge of first-degree murder has been initiated. He was originally added to the FBI's most wanted list in October 2017, having evaded capture for nearly eight years.
This development brings a measure of closure to a long-running case and underscores ongoing international cooperation in apprehending high-profile criminal suspects.
