The extradition of Rafael Caro Quintero to the United States is related to the search for justice for Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a DEA agent who managed to infiltrate the Guadalajara Cartel. In a symbolic gesture, Judge Enrique Camarena handed his father's handcuffs to former DEA agent Steve Paris of the 'Operation Legend' to place them on Caro Quintero during his court appearance.
“In a symbolic gesture, Judge Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena Jr. handed his father's handcuffs to former DEA agent Steve Paris, a member of 'Operation Legend,' who carried them to New York to place them on Caro Quintero during his court appearance tomorrow, thereby closing a cycle of pain, memory, and justice.”
It is known that Paris participated in the investigation of Camarena’s murder in 1985. The handcuffs will be used for Caro Quintero during his court appearance. Camarena, born in Mexicali, Baja California, in 1947, joined the DEA in 1974 and played an important role as an undercover agent in gathering information on criminal organizations.
However, he was discovered while inside the Guadalajara Cartel. He was kidnapped and murdered in February 1985. His body was found a month later in Michoacán. 'Operation Legend' was launched to investigate his murder, identifying Caro Quintero, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo as responsible.
The first to fall were Fonseca and Quintero, with Fonseca placed under house arrest in 2016. Caro Quintero was arrested in Costa Rica in 1985 and subsequently extradited to Mexico.
