FRESNO, CA (KMJ) The Mexican cartel boss convicted of murdering a Fresno-based DEA agent is now in American custody.
Mexico turned Rafael Caro Quintero and 28 other cartel members over to US authorities on Thursday. They are expected to face a New York City judge Friday on charges of drug trafficking.
“Obviously, this is one of the biggest days in decades for DEA agents,” Ray Donovan, the former head of New York’s DEA office, told The New York Post. “This is very near and dear to every DEA agent.”
Quintero, 72, was convicted in Mexico for being the mastermind of the 1985 killing of US DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.
“This is bigger than Chapo for me and every other DEA Agent,” Donovan added, referring to Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, whom he’s credited with capturing. “This was personal.”
In February 1985, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was kidnapped by police officers hired by the Guadalajara Cartel. After being brutally tortured for information he was murdered. His body was found a month latter on a ranch 60 miles away.
“When he goes to trial the Kiki homicide will come out and the fact he ordered the killing will be revealed,” Donovan said.
“This moment is extremely personal for the men and women of DEA who believe Caro Quintero is responsible for the brutal torture and murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena. It is also a victory for the Camarena family,” DEA Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz said in a statement.
ABC30 interviewed Camarena’s former partner in 2022. Watch here
“Today sends a message to every cartel leader, every trafficker, every criminal poisoning our communities: You will be held accountable. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far you run, justice will find you.”
At the time, Quintero was one of the biggest suppliers of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana to the U.S. He blamed Camarena for a 1984 raid on a pot farm that upset his business.
The DEA said at the time it was the largest drug seizure ever.
In retaliation, prosecutors said Camarena was kidnapped in Guadalajara on orders from Quintero. The deadly scenario was recently played out on the Netflix show ‘Narcos Mexico’.
