The arrest of Zhenli Ye-Gon in the United States has stirred up political commentary here in Mexico questioning he is and what role he may have played in the murky world of drug trafficking. Mexico is to ask for extradition of the alleged methamphetamine kingpin, although he also faces charges in the United States. President Felipe Calderon, who initiated a bold campaign against criminal organizations shortly after taking office last December, says case shows his government's resolve.

He says criminals should know that this government does not lack the resources the power to pursue them and capture them whether they are inside or outside the country.

But the press is speculating on who Zhenli is and what role he played in the country's drug underground. The claims he is the victim of political intrigue in Mexico.

In March, a raid on Zhenli's mansion in City led to what U.S. officials have described as the largest single seizure of cash on record anywhere the world. In all, the U.S. currency found, plus some Mexican and Hong Kong currency, was worth around million. The U.S. money alone weighed over two tons and is now stored in a high-security military bank Mexico.

Zhenli initially claimed that officials close to President Calderon gave him the money, something the Mexican president as "un cuento Chino," literally a Chinese story, slang here in Mexico for a "tall tale." Attorneys representing in both Mexico and the United States say he will fight extradition on the grounds that he would receive a fair trial in Mexico.

But U.S. and Mexican authorities say Zhenli was using his legitimate businesses Mexico to import massive amounts of pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that is used in cold remedies sold in drug around the world. The chemical is a key ingredient in methamphetamine, a highly addictive stimulant that has been as a public health menace in many parts of the United States. Mexico recently passed a law to pseudoephedrine, ending its availability through pharmacies here. Medicine containing it can be purchased in the United States only small quantities with a doctor's prescription.

Until recently, most of the methamphetamine in the United States was produced crude "meth labs" set up around the country in clandestine locations. But a crackdown by U.S. authorities led traffickers to shift operations to Mexico, the source of most marijuana and much of the heroin smuggled into United States and the main stop along the route taken by most cocaine from South America that ends on U.S. streets.

U.S. officials praise the efforts of President Calderon and Mexican authorities in fighting drug gangs. officials say illicit drugs have also become a major social problem here at home, where their use among people is on the rise.