WESLACO – A Rio Grande Valley congressman said he wants the former Tamaulipas governor be brought to the U.S. for punishment.

Tomas Yarrington is accused of working with cartels. Officials said the criminal groups allegedly paid him so they could stay on the streets without police intervention.

According to court documents, tons of cocaine crossed into the U.S. during his term.

Congressman Filemon Vela said his extradition to the U.S. will send a strong message to corrupt elected officials.

“When someone holds a position of trust, like he did as governor of the state of Tamaulipas and profits off drug running, that’s really a bad thing and I think that bringing him to justice and getting him convicted will send a very serious – would be a symbolic victory for people that live on both sides of the border,” he said.

Yarrington was in office until 2005. However, he wasn’t charged until 2012.

The former governor went on the run and was arrested earlier this week in Italy.