MEXICO CITY, Feb 28 (V7N) — In a dramatic move against organized crime, Mexico has extradited 29 high-profile drug traffickers to the United States, including some of the most notorious cartel leaders of the past decades.

Among the list of criminals handed over, three names stand out:

1. Rafael Caro Quintero – “Narco of Narcos”

Aeguably the biggest prize in this extradition, Rafael Caro Quintero is infamous for orchestrating the 1985 torture and murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena—an act that forever altered U.S.-Mexico drug enforcement relations.

Captured in 2022, the 72-year-old was once on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted list, with a $20 million bounty—the highest ever offered for a Mexican drug trafficker.

A co-founder of the Guadalajara Cartel, he was a key figure in the 1980s cocaine trade alongside Colombian kingpin Pablo Escobar.

Initially sentenced to 40 years in prison, he was released in 2013 on a legal technicality, only to vanish into hiding before being recaptured.

His extradition marks a symbolic victory for the DEA, which considered bringing him to justice an “extremely personal” mission.

2. Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales – The Butcher of Zetas

The former leader of Los Zetas, Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales ("Z-40"), built a reputation as one of Mexico’s most feared cartel bosses.

Known for his extreme brutality, he reportedly burned his enemies alive in oil drums filled with fuel.

The Zetas cartel, founded by ex-Mexican special forces, was notorious for mass executions, beheadings, and controlling drug routes through terror.

Treviño Morales, now 54, was captured in 2013 with a $5 million U.S. bounty on his head.

His extradition is expected to provide valuable intelligence on cartel operations and U.S.-Mexico criminal networks.

3. Omar Treviño Morales – Successor to Z-40

Following his brother’s arrest, Omar Treviño Morales ("Z-42") took over the Zetas cartel, continuing its reign of violence and terror.

Described by Mexican officials as “one of the most bloodthirsty criminals”, he allegedly claimed responsibility for personally killing over 1,000 people.

The U.S. had a $5 million bounty on him, and he was arrested in 2015 in Monterrey.

Both Treviño brothers are accused of directing kidnappings, murders, and cartel wars that have left tens of thousands dead in Mexico’s drug war.

The extradited criminals will now face trial in the U.S., where they are expected to be charged with drug trafficking, organized crime, murder, and conspiracy.

Their testimonies could reveal cartel secrets, exposing key players and smuggling routes in the Mexico-U.S. drug trade.

Mexico’s move signals stronger cooperation with Washington amid increasing U.S. pressure to tackle fentanyl production and cartel violence.

This historic extradition is a significant win for the U.S.-Mexico fight against drug cartels, but whether it weakens cartel operations or simply leads to new leadership battles remains to be seen.

END/WD/RH