The Mexican government has carried out the extradition of Daniel Franco López, also known as "El Micha", to the United States. This individual is the 16th defendant in a criminal case involving Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, among others. "El Micha" is charged with several federal offenses, including organized crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, arms trafficking, and participation in a continuing criminal enterprise.
According to court documents in the United States, he is accused of coordinating the shipment of large quantities of cocaine and marijuana to the United States, as well as collecting proceeds from these illicit activities, including kidnappings and murders. López was arrested in August 2012 and had since remained in custody in Mexico until his recent extradition to the United States.
During his first appearance in a federal court in the United States, Towanda Thorne-James, special agent in charge of the DEA, mentioned that "El Micha" was included in the RICO indictment, which involved prominent figures such as "El Chapo" Guzmán and "El Mayo" Zambada. López's extradition highlights the DEA's commitment to pursuing dangerous drug traffickers responsible for thousands of deaths.
If found guilty, "El Micha" could face life in prison. Various U.S. officials have emphasized the importance of this extradition within the context of an extensive drug trafficking case spanning more than a decade. Margaret Leachman, acting U.S. Attorney, noted that the goal of dismantling such criminal organizations is shared between U.S. and Mexican authorities.
