Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero was arrested on Friday after authorities launched a joint law task force to locate him.
Quintero, who was convicted of killing a U.S. DEA agent in 1985 and a co-founder of the Guadalajara Cartel was portrayed in the popular Netflix series Narcos: Mexico.
He was captured during the night after a lengthy manhunt being carried out by the Mexican marines and the Secretary of the Navy, called SEMAR.
The 66-year-old’s arrest resulted in the deaths of 14 military personnel, who died when a navy Blackhawk helicopter crashed during the operation.
The cause of the crash is currently being investigated.
The drug lord had previously spent 28 years in prison after he killed DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena but was released in 2013. He returned to drug trafficking.
He will be held at the maximum security Altiplano prison, which is located about 50 miles from Mexico City.
“There is no hiding place for anyone who kidnaps, tortures, and murders American law enforcement. We are deeply grateful to Mexican authorities for their capture and arrest of Rafael Caro-Quintero,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said.
“Today’s arrest is the culmination of tireless work by DEA and their Mexican partners to bring Caro-Quintero to justice for his alleged crimes, including the torture and execution of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena,” Garland added. “We will be seeking his immediate extradition to the United States so he can be tried for these crimes in the very justice system Special Agent Camarena died defending.”
“We join in mourning the 14 Mexican servicemembers who gave their lives in service to their country and extend our condolences to the loved ones they left behind.”
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