Mexican cartel boss Rafael Caro Quintero pleaded not guilty in a New York courtroom after being extradited to the U.S. to face charges related to the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. His arraignment marks the culmination of decades of efforts by U.S. authorities to hold him accountable.
Caro Quintero, a founder of the Guadalajara cartel, was among 29 cartel members transferred into U.S. custody, a move hailed as one of the most significant extradition operations in Mexico’s history. His extradition came as Mexico sought to avoid President Donald Trump’s threatened 25% tariffs on Mexican imports, which were set to take effect next week. Trump had demanded tougher action against cartels, illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking as conditions for delaying the tariffs.
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“For 14,631 days, we held on to hope… and now, that hope has finally turned into reality,” Camarena’s family said in a statement, thanking Trump and law enforcement officials for their persistence in securing justice. The White House described Caro Quintero as “one of the most evil cartel bosses in the world.”
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Along with Caro Quintero, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes — another prominent cartel leader — was also extradited. While Carrillo Fuentes is not linked to Camarena’s killing, he is accused of orchestrating kidnappings and murders in Mexico.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the administration’s commitment to dismantling violent drug cartels. “As President Trump has made clear, cartels are terrorist groups, and this Department of Justice is devoted to destroying cartels and transnational gangs,” she said. She vowed to prosecute the cartel members to the fullest extent of the law, calling it a tribute to the law enforcement officers who have risked and lost their lives fighting these criminal organizations.
The extraditions followed Trump’s recent executive order formally designating Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The order prompted Mexico to take unprecedented action, including cracking down on cartel leadership and allowing U.S. spy drones to provide intelligence to Mexican forces.
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Among those extradited were Omar and Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, former leaders of the violent Zetas cartel, who were wanted for drug trafficking, kidnapping and murder. The Justice Department announced that six of the 29 individuals now in U.S. custody could face the federal death penalty for their crimes.
DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz said the operation sent a clear message to cartel leaders. “No matter how long it takes, no matter how far you run, justice will find you.”
