Quotes
The FBI and our partners will scour the ends of the earth to bring terrorists and cartel members to justice. The era of harming Americans and walking free is over."
FBI Director Kash Patel, in a statement
The custody, transfer and formal delivery of these persons is carried out under institutional protocols with due respect for their fundamental rights, in accordance with our Constitution and the National Security Law and at the request of the Department of Justice of the United States. This action is part of the work of coordination, cooperation and bilateral reciprocity, within the framework of respect for the sovereignty of both nations."
Mexico's Attorney General and Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, in a statement
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."
In a statement at the time of his arrest, former U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said
This is historical, this has really never happened in the history of Mexico
said Mike Vigil, former DEA chief of international operations
This moment is extremely personal for the men and women of DEA who believe Caro Quintero is responsible for the brutal torture and murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena. It is also a victory for the Camarena family,
DEA Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz said in a statement
Well your dad's Superman,
Enrique saidWithin about five or six hours, there's a dozen to two dozen agents that arrived,
Enrique told CBS News in that 2017 interviewWe will prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law in honor of the brave law enforcement agents who have dedicated their careers — and in some cases, given their lives — to protect innocent people from the scourge of violent cartels,
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement
There will surely be a furious reaction by drug trafficking groups against the Mexican state,
he saidIf he’s being sent to the U.S. outside of a formal extradition, and if Mexico didn’t place any restrictions, then he can be prosecuted for whatever the U.S. wants,
according to Bonnie Klapper, a former federal narcotics prosecutor in Brooklyn who is familiar with the case
Caro Quintero, a cartel kingpin who unleashed violence, destruction, and death across the United States and Mexico, has spent four decades atop DEA’s most wanted fugitives list, and today we can proudly say he has arrived in the United States where justice will be served,
DEA Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz said Thursday
These defendants are collectively alleged to have been responsible for the importation into the United States of massive quantities of poison, including cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin, as well as associated acts of violence,
the DOJ statement added
As President Trump has made clear, cartels are terrorist groups, and this Department of Justice is devoted to destroying cartels and transnational gangs,
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement
Today’s actions are a consequence of a White House that negotiates from a position of strength, and an attorney general who is willing to lead the department with courage and ferocity,
said acting deputy attorney-general Emil Bove
They’re certainly hoping that it will have a positive impact on the tariff negotiations.”
he saidWe have been trying to get our hands on him and bring him to justice here in the US,
he saidThey were wanted for their links to criminal organizations for drug trafficking, among other crimes."
The Mexican government confirmed the transfer in a statement, sayingHis return to the U.S. would give the family much needed closure and serve the best interests of justice,
the letter states
Cruz allegedly played a critical role in the trafficking of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into the United States,
said acting U.S. Attorney Richard Moultrie, Jr.