As this publication first reported, the founder of the Guadalajara Cartel, Rafael Caro Quintero, who is also on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Top 10 Most Wanted List, had been arrested in Mexico in a Mexican Navy led operation. 14 Mexican Navy personnel were also killed when a Black Hawk helicopter involved in the operation crashed in Los Mochis.
Since then, Quintero has been transported to near the U.S. border and U.S. Attorney General Garland has issued this statement:
“There is no hiding place for anyone who kidnaps, tortures, and murders American law enforcement. We are deeply grateful to Mexican authorities for their capture and arrest of Rafael Caro-Quintero. Today’s arrest is the culmination of tireless work by DEA and their Mexican partners to bring Caro-Quintero to justice for his alleged crimes, including the torture and execution of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. We will be seeking his immediate extradition to the United States so he can be tried for these crimes in the very justice system Special Agent Camarena died defending.
“We join in mourning the 14 Mexican servicemembers who gave their lives in service to their country and extend our condolences to the loved ones they left behind.”
In 2013, a Mexican judge denied the extradition request and set Quintero free where he rejoined the drug trade and led a cartel. However, now it is most likely he will be extradited to the U.S. and most likely convicted of torture and murder.
