In 1984, it was discovered that the LAPD had 237 murder warrants in the Automated Want and Warrant System. Of these, approximately 100 involved suspects who were Mexican nationals and who, in all probability, had sought sanctuary by fleeing back across the border to Mexico. The likelihood of locating and causing their arrest in Mexico was remote. This problem led to the creation of the FPLU. To date, the unit has filed 74 murder cases in Mexico, of which 32 have resulted in arrests and prosecutions, ending in convictions and sentences comparable to those received in the U.S. for similar crimes. There have been 26 additional prosecutions for crimes other than murder. As a result of these prosecutions, the detectives in the unit have developed an outstanding rapport with the Mexican law enforcement officers.