Rafael Caro Quintero underwent outpatient surgery due to urethral stenosis, which took place at the Adolfo López Mateos Medical Center in Toluca, State of Mexico. The drug trafficker is currently detained in the high-security prison of El Altiplano, in Almoloya de Juárez, for his involvement in the murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena Salazar.
Caro Quintero's transfer began at 6:00 AM on Monday via a National Guard helicopter that landed at the government medical center's helipad around 7:00 AM. A large ground operation was deployed with 71 elements from various security forces to accompany the transfer.
Throughout the day, the Sinaloan capo was under strict surveillance, being transported in a wheelchair wearing the khaki clothing characteristic of federal prison. At 1:00 PM, the federation helicopter was prepared to take Caro Quintero back to the Almoloya de Juárez prison.
The operation was carried out without setbacks and was supported by an ambulance in case it was needed. Caro Quintero's defense had requested surgical intervention due to the urgency of his condition, ultimately admitting him to the hospital on Monday.
At 72 years old and originally from Badiraguato, Sinaloa, Caro Quintero reached the height of his career as a drug trafficker in the 1980s. Despite being sentenced to 40 years in 1985, he was able to secure his release in 2013 due to a legal technicality. However, in July 2022, he was recaptured by elements of the Mexican Navy in Choix, Sinaloa, and was once again incarcerated in the high-security prison of Almoloya de Juárez.
