Cartel Boss Brought to Justice With a $20 Million Bounty

Cartel Boss Brought to Justice With a $20 Million Bounty

$20 Million Bounty – Dangerous Man Caught!

(LibertySons.org) – The FBI put a $20 million reward on a crime boss’ head, and Mexican authorities captured him on July 15. The apprehension of Rafael Caro-Quintero, a Sinaloa Cartel leader, marks one of the multiple drug lords the US has brought down recently. He graced the 10 Most Wanted list for years following a fumbled release from prison that rumors speculate was due to coercion in the Mexico court. Now, the criminal will face charges in the United States for murdering a federal agent decades ago.

The Takedown

The military personnel in Mexico tracked the fugitive using a bloodhound to a location in San Simon. The massive undertaking ended in victory, but only after the loss of 14 servicemembers when a helicopter providing backup for ground operations crashed. Authorities continue to investigate that incident.

In a July 15 statement, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland expressed gratitude to the officials who worked hard to capture Caro-Quintero. He said it was a team effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its partners in the Central American nation. The AG promised to seek immediate extradition and extended condolences for the loss of life during the maneuver.

The History

Officials were chasing the notorious criminal because a Mexican court released him in August 2013. The kingpin was only 28 years into serving a 40-year sentence for kidnapping and killing DEA Agent Enrique Camarena in 1985.

The gang leader allegedly ordered his minions to snatch the officer because he assisted in a marijuana plantation raid that cost the criminal about $8 billion. Officials found the agent’s body in a shallow grave about a month after the murderer’s cronies scooped him up in Guadalajara. Signs of torture were visible on his remains.

The US government expressed outrage at the miscarriage of justice, but the presiding judge claimed prosecutors made a mistake and tried the case at the federal level when it was a state matter. Another court issued an arrest warrant for him less than a week later, but authorities could never find him.

Following his untimely release, the drug lord allegedly stepped right back into the operations as part of the Sinaloa Cartel.

He will face various charges related to Camarena’s murder once in US custody. His wanted poster showed charges for violent crimes associated with racketeering, conspiracy to commit violent crimes, conspiracy to kidnapping, kidnapping and murder of a federal agent, aiding and abetting, and accessory after the fact.

The Fight Against Drug Cartels

The cartel lord isn’t alone in attempting to run from American authorities. Another well-known name agents brought down is Joaquín Guzmán Loera, or “El Chapo.” He’s currently in prison in Colorado after a conviction in 2019 of crimes related to drug trafficking and weapons violations.

Then, there is Pablo Escobar, who served his time in Colombian prisons. Following an escape in 1992, the country’s government, with aid from the US, ran an operation to capture him. The famous drug runner ended up dead after a gunfight with officers.

The main takeaway here is that crime doesn’t pay. To quote the Attorney General, “There is no hiding place” for those who break the law.

~Here’s to Our Liberty!

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