Rafael Caro Quintero, the infamous co-founder of Mexico’s Guadalajara Cartel, appeared in a U.S. federal court in New York on February 28, 2025, pleading not guilty to charges including drug trafficking and the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Caro Quintero, once dubbed the “Narco of Narcos,” was extradited alongside 28 other cartel figures in a significant operation aimed at strengthening U.S.-Mexico cooperation against organized crime. His arrest and extradition mark a pivotal moment in the decades-long pursuit of justice for Agent Camarena’s brutal killing, a case that has profoundly impacted U.S.-Mexico relations and anti-drug trafficking efforts.
Notorious Mexican Cartel Leader Rafael Caro Quintero Pleads Not Guilty in U.S. Court
