Rafael Caro Quintero, known as the Narco of Narcos, was finally extradited to the United States on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Along with him, supposedly, 37 high-risk inmates were also transferred to the North American country. Caro Quintero was wanted by U.S. authorities for his alleged involvement in the murder of DEA agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena, a case that dates back to 1987 in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
This extradition move comes after Caro Quintero was released by a Mexican court in 2013, which led the U.S. to renew its extradition request for drug trafficking and the murder of Camarena. Since then, U.S. authorities have regarded Caro Quintero as one of the most wanted criminals, with a reward of 20 million dollars for information leading to his capture or conviction.
The Attorney General's Office (FGR) and the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico reported that on February 27, 2025, 29 individuals held in various Mexican prisons were transferred to the United States. These individuals are linked to criminal organizations and face charges mainly related to drug trafficking and other crimes.
The extradition was carried out following strict institutional protocols and respecting the fundamental rights of the detainees, in accordance with the Mexican Constitution and the National Security Law. This action is part of the bilateral cooperation between Mexico and the United States, in response to requests from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Although the names of the 29 extradited individuals have not been revealed, it is speculated that important figures such as Rafael Caro Quintero, leaders of Los Zetas like Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales (alias Z40) and his brother Alejandro Omar Treviño Morales (alias Z42) could be among them. The extradition of these individuals marked a milestone in the fight against organized crime in the region, especially considering the accused's links to high-impact illicit activities.
