The extradited 29 cartel suspects include Rafael Caro Quintero, Miguel Angel Trevino Morales (Z-40) and Jose Angel Canobbio Inzunza
Mexico transferred 29 suspected cartel leaders to the US on Thursday, including Rafael Caro Quintero, the alleged Sinaloa cartel founder believed to be behind the 1985 murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique Camarena.
US authorities had pursued him for 40 years.
Also extradited are Miguel Angel Trevino Morales (Z-40), the former leader of the Zetas cartel known for extreme violence, and Jose Angel Canobbio Inzunza, a top associate of El Chapo’s son.
They, along with cartel figures from Jalisco New Generation and La Familia Michoacana, face charges of drug trafficking, murder and organized crime in US federal courts.
The Trump administration had pressured Mexico to take stronger action against cartels.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum’s decision to extradite these figures signals her willingness to cooperate with the US on security issues. The move comes after President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a 25% tariff on Mexican imports will go into effect on March 4.
The extraditions come as the two nations negotiate a security pact. Law enforcement officials see this as a significant step in dismantling violent drug organizations that have fueled crime and smuggling fentanyl across the border.
In January, Trump labeled six Mexican cartels “terrorist organizations,” which means prosecutors can pursue the death penalty against the men.