More than three decades after orchestrating the killing of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, Rafael Caro Quintero has been extradited to the U.S. to face justice. His arrival in New York follows a large-scale operation that saw 29 cartel figures transferred into American custody as part of a broader effort to target cartel leadership.
Caro Quintero was a dominant figure in the Guadalajara cartel, responsible for trafficking heroin, cocaine and marijuana into the U.S. in the late 20th century. After one of his drug operations was disrupted by U.S. law enforcement, he ordered the abduction and killing of Camarena, leading to one of the most infamous murders of a federal agent in history.
Today, @FBIDirectorKash announced that the United States has successfully apprehended Rafael Caro Quintero, the notorious cartel kingpin behind the brutal murder of DEA Agent Kiki Camarena.
Learn more: https://t.co/YATIlmGBtF pic.twitter.com/iOed6YAs8k
— FBI (@FBI) February 28, 2025
Though convicted and imprisoned in Mexico, he was released in 2013 after a court ruling. He quickly resumed cartel operations, fueling violent conflicts in Mexico before his arrest in 2022. While the U.S. pushed for his extradition, political tensions delayed the process.
Raphael Caro Quintero, a Mexican drug lord, was extradited from Mexico to the U.S. for the murder a DEA Agent. He was just flown into New York for prosecution. The U.S. had offered a $20M bounty for his capture
Thank you President Trump and Sec Rubio!🔥
pic.twitter.com/e3xmkmzCns— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) February 28, 2025
That changed when President Donald Trump signed an order classifying Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations. Facing U.S. pressure, Mexico handed over Caro Quintero along with other major cartel leaders. Mexican officials stated that the extradition was part of their national security strategy, citing cartel violence as a major threat to their country.
#JUSTICEFORKIKI After 40 years, Rafael Caro Quintero is in the U.S, to face justice for the murder of #DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. We wear red to recognize Kiki's sacrifice and to honor his life. #RedForKiki #NeverForget Learn more at https://t.co/uuYu5BdQIY pic.twitter.com/McCQArNgIv
— DEA HQ (@DEAHQ) February 28, 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed that those responsible for crimes against Americans would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Others extradited alongside Caro Quintero included Omar and Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, two brothers who once led the Zetas cartel, as well as Vicente Carrillo Fuentes.
Breaking update in New York: 🚨 Mexican kingpin ‘Narco of Narcos’ finally faced an American judge today but doing so while wearing the exact cuffs of the DEA agent he took the life of in 1985!
Rafael Caro Quintero, a 72 year old founding member of the Guadalajara cartel, has… pic.twitter.com/fAA1PhWhhs
— Tom Homan – Border Czar Commentary News (@TomHoman_) February 28, 2025
Federal prosecutors have revealed that six of the extradited cartel members may face the death penalty. U.S. authorities say this operation sends a strong message that no matter how long it takes, those who harm Americans will be pursued and punished.
