Mexico has sent infamous drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero and 28 other cartel fugitives to the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Caro Quintero, known as a founder of the Guadalajara cartel, was involved in the kidnapping and murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena in 1985. This act was allegedly revenge for a raid on his marijuana farm by Mexican authorities in 1984.
After serving 28 years for his crime, Caro Quintero was released in 2013 due to a technicality. The Mexican Supreme Court later reversed this decision. Following his release, he returned to drug trafficking and took a prominent role in the Sinaloa cartel.
In July 2022, he was captured by the Mexican Navy after a dramatic operation where a navy dog found him hiding. Tragically, the operation resulted in the death of 14 Marines due to a helicopter crash during the effort to apprehend him.
“Caro Quintero, a cartel leader responsible for violence in both the U.S. and Mexico, has spent decades on the DEA’s most wanted list. Today, he is in the U.S. facing justice,” stated DEA Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz.
This extradition is significant not just for law enforcement, but also for the family of Agent Camarena, who suffered deeply from the events of the past. The message to all cartel leaders is clear: justice will be served, regardless of the distance or time required.
Caro Quintero is expected to appear in court in New York soon.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that the fugitives extradited also include high-ranking members of several major drug cartels. These groups are notorious for drug trafficking and violence. The extradited individuals are linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, and others.
Among those extradited is Martin Sotelo, accused of participating in the murder of a deputy sheriff in North Carolina, and Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, a leader in the CJNG. They are alleged to be responsible for introducing large amounts of dangerous drugs like cocaine and fentanyl into the U.S.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the commitment to prosecute these individuals fully, honoring law enforcement agents who have dedicated their lives to combatting cartel violence.
This move marks a decisive effort against powerful drug cartels, which are termed as terrorist organizations by some U.S. authorities. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove remarked that these actions represent a strong negotiation stance and determination within the Justice Department.
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