Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
The Mexico Supreme Court has overturned a lower court ruling that led to a Mexican drug lord’s freedom. Rafael Caro Quintero, 61, was accused of kidnapping and murder a DEA agent, Enrique Camarena, and his pilot, in 1985.
The Mexican Supreme Court’s decision was released one day after U.S. authorities agreed to pay up to $5 million for information leading to Caro Quintero’s arrest or conviction, once a leader of Mexico’s Guadalajara Cartel. Caro Quintero had served 28 years of his 40-year sentence and his conviction was overturned in August.
The DEA describes Caro Quintero as a U.S. fugitive from for felony murder, kidnapping and other criminal charges and want him apprehended. After a meeting in Washington in September the Mexican government agreed to re-apprehend Caro Quintero, however, his whereabouts are unknown.
In August the court incorrectly ruled that Caro Quintero had been incorrectly tried in the country’s federal judicial system, when he should have been tried at the state level. However, the Wednesday 4-1 ruling by the Mexico’s Supreme Court declared that ruling was invalid. Caro Quintero is now wanted, as he was incorrectly released and the government intends to recapture him.