DEA's most wanted drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero arrives in NYC to face charges after Mexico hands him over to US

Rafael Caro Quintero, a key figure in drug trafficking and convicted for the 1985 murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena, has been extradited from Mexico to New York. His arrival marks a significant moment for DEA officials, with former DEA head Ray Donovan expressing the emotional weight of the event. Quintero's extradition follows the Mexican government's compliance with US pressure amidst ongoing drug smuggling issues. He faces arraignment in Brooklyn on drug-trafficking charges, highlighting a broader effort against drug cartels designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

Ray Donovan, the former head of New York's DEA office, stated, "This is very near and dear to every DEA agent," reflecting the significance of Quintero's transfer to US custody.

DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz emphasized that Quintero is a crucial name among the transferred cartel members, saying, "one name in the group stands above the rest for the men and women of his agency."

Read at New York Post