Mexico overturns extradition ban

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The Mexican Supreme Court has overturned a ban on extraditing suspects facing life sentences, allowing them to be sent to the United States.

The ruling followed a decision by the Chihuahua state government to modify its penal code to include life sentences for those convicted homicide and kidnapping, El Universal reported Wednesday.

Mexico will, however, refrain from sending suspects to U.S. states that have the death penalty, which was banned earlier this year.

Among those most likely to face trial in the United States are drug smugglers. It also applies to U.S. citizens who flee to Mexico after committing a crime on U.S. soil.