Guatemala resumes drug extraditions after long lull

GUATEMALA CITY, March 27 (Reuters) - For the first time in 15 years, Guatemala sent accused drug smugglers to face trafficking charges in the United States on Tuesday, winning Washington's praise for stepping up a war against organized crime.

Suspected heroin smugglers Javier Reyes and Alberto Ramirez, who were arrested in 2005 by Guatemalan authorities and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, will face trial in New York, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala said in a statement.

It was the first time since 1992 that Guatemala, a major transit point for U.S.-bound South American cocaine and heroin, has sent criminal suspects to face specific drug-trafficking charges in the United States, the embassy said.

Officials said the pair formed part of an international ring that smuggled heroin hidden in cars from Colombia through Guatemala and onto the United States.

Dubbed "Operation Jump Start," the 2005 sweep led to over 100 arrests, the confiscation of over 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of heroin and cocaine and more than $1 million in cash.

The extraditions drew praise from Washington at a time when the government is under pressure to crack down on organized crime after recent scandals have revealed high-level corruption and drug-trafficking links to the Guatemalan police.

"The extraditions show the commitment of the governments of Guatemala and the United States to fight drug trafficking and organized crime," the U.S. Embassy said.