Mexican Drug ‘Godfather’ Wanted for Killing US DEA Agent Arrested

Rafael Caro-Quintero, a Mexican cartel leader wanted for his role in the murder of a DEA special agent in 1985, has been named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. (FBI via The Epoch Times)

A fugitive Mexican drug trafficker who was behind the death of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent in 1985 was apprehended by Mexican authorities on Friday.

Rafael Caro Quintero was found hiding in the town of San Simon in Sinaloa state during a joint operation between Mexico’s navy and the Attorney General’s Office, Associated Press reported.

The drug trafficker was wanted by the U.S. DEA for $20 million for the alleged kidnapping and murder of undercover federal agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, aiding and abetting, and accessory after the fact.

He was also wanted by U.S. authorities for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine, murder, and operating a continuing criminal enterprise. There is a pending extradition request from the U.S. government.

Caro Quintero was arrested around midday on Friday in a mountainous area near Sinaloa’s border with the state of Chihuahua in the north of Mexico, AP reported.

Rafael Caro Quintero, a Mexican cartel leader, is wanted for his role in the murder of a DEA special agent in 1985. (FBI/Obtained by The Epoch Times)

The drug trafficker is on the list of the FBI’s top 10 most wanted fugitives with the massive reward for information leading to his capture or conviction.

The FBI said Caro Quintero was believed to hold a leadership role in the Sinaloa cartel, known to frequent the area of Badiraguato, Sinaloa in Mexico. He was known to have formed the Guadalajara cartel in the 1970s.

Camerena, who was described by the FBI as an “enterprising” agent, was kidnapped and murdered in 1985 on alleged orders of Caro Quintero while on his way to have lunch with his wife because the drug trafficker allegedly blamed him for a recent raid.

The FBI described Caro Quintero as a “narco of narcos” and said he was considered a “godfather” to the Sinaloa cartel.

Navy Helicopter Crash Kills 14 After Operation

After executing Caro Quintero’s arrest, a Mexican Navy Blackhawk helicopter carrying 15 people crashed near the coastal city of Los Mochis, killing 14 aboard.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said on Twitter that the crash happened as the helicopter was about to land in Sinaloa after completing the mission.

“I am very sorry for the loss of 14 members of the Mexican Navy and I hope that the seriously injured officer recovers. I send my sincere condolences and hugs to his family, colleagues and friends,” he wrote.

José Rafael Ojeda Durán, the secretary of Mexico’s navy, will order an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The Mexican president said the crash happened “when they were about to land in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, after fulfilling the mission of supporting those who executed the arrest warrant against Rafael Caro Quintero.”