Mexican Drug Lord Caro Quintero Pleads Not Guilty Following Sudden Extradition to New York

Mexican Drug Lord Caro Quintero Pleads Not Guilty Following Sudden Extradition to New York

Rafael Caro Quintero, the notorious Mexican drug lord and former leader of the Guadalajara Cartel, has pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges after his unexpected extradition to New York. Caro Quintero, who was captured in 2022 after years on the run, faces charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. His swift expulsion from Mexico to the U.S. has stunned observers, as he had been previously released from prison in 2013 due to a legal technicality before going back into hiding. His trial in New York is expected to be a major legal battle, drawing international attention to U.S.-Mexico cooperation in combating drug cartels.