U.S. Offers $5M Reward For Information Leading To Rafael Caro Quintero's Arrest

Rafael Caro Quintero and Enrique "Kiki" Camarena

The Mexican Supreme Court decided on a vote of 3-1 to overturn an appellate judge decision to free Quintero last August.

By H. Nelson Goodson

November 7, 2013

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - On Wednesday, the Mexican Supreme Court on a decision of 3-1 overturned an appellate judge decision to free Rafael Caro Quintero, 58, a reputed druglord. Quintero, a former founder of the Guadalajara Cartel walked out a free man from prison last August after a federal court overturned his 40 year prison sentence and conviction for the 1985 murder of DEA Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in Guadalajara, Jalisco. After serving 28 years in prison, the appellate court found that Quintero should have been prosecuted in a state court and not a federal court. The court's decision and Quintero's released was kept secret until Quintero had been released indicating the three judge panel was bought off. 

In an appeal to the Mexico's Supreme Court, prosecutors argued that Quintero was responsible for killing a diplomat from the U.S. who was working in Mexico and a federal conviction was legal. The majority of the Mexican Supreme Court justices agreed and overturned the appellate decision to free Quintero.

Quintero since his released has vanished and his whereabouts are unknown. The Mexican government has issued a warrant for his arrest and the U.S. has placed a $5M reward for information leading to Quintero's arrest.

The U.S. has also indicted Quintero for drug laundering and will most likely seek extradition, if Quintero is taken into custody in Mexico. 

Quintero and several other suspects ordered Camarena killed after their $10 billion dollar marijuana and drug manufacturing ranch called the Buffalo was raided and confiscated by Mexican federal authorities. Camarena and his pilot were kidnapped in Guadalajara and then their bodies were discovered in a shallow grave a month later. Both Camarena and his pilot's bodies showed signs of torture before being killed.