Mexico City (via Reuters) – It has been confirmed by sources that Mexico is set to extradite notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero to the United States. Caro Quintero, a key figure in the Guadalajara Cartel, a prominent drug trafficking organization in Latin America during the 1980s, was convicted of the heinous murder of a U.S. anti-narcotics agent in 1985. The victim, former DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, fell victim to one of the most notorious killings in Mexico’s history of drug wars, characterized by extreme violence and brutality.
Having served 28 years in prison for his involvement in Camarena’s murder and subsequent torture, Caro Quintero has consistently denied any role in the crime. However, in 2013, he was controversially released on technical grounds by a Mexican court, only to resume illicit activities in the drug trade. His criminal pursuits eventually led to his recapture by Mexican authorities in the year 2022, paving the way for his extradition to face justice in the United States.
In addition to Caro Quintero, Mexico also handed over Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, also known as Z-40, and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales, known as Z-42, both former alleged leaders of the notorious Los Zetas drug cartel, to U.S. authorities. These individuals were apprehended by the Mexican military in 2013 and 2015, respectively, and are now being transferred to face charges in the United States, as confirmed by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office in Texas.
The extradition of these high-profile figures marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat transnational drug trafficking and organized crime, underscoring the collaborative efforts between Mexico and the United States in the pursuit of justice and security in the region. (Reporting by Drazen Jorgic, Laura Gottesdiener and Lizbeth Diaz; Editing by Anthony Esposito)
