By Steve Neavling
Ticklethewire.com
Fugitive Mexican cartel boss Rafael Caro-Quintero, who disappeared underground after being sentenced in the torture and murder of DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camerena, has been added to the FBI’s Most Wanted List.
Caro-Quintero, who is known as the “Godfather” of drug-trafficking, is the first DEA suspect to be added to the list, the Washington Post reports.
Caro-Quintero was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the 1985 murder of Camerena, who was tortured to death while investigating the Guadalajara Cartel. But a judge ordered the early release of the cartel boss, who escaped underground and has evaded Mexican and U.S. authorities since.
“Special Agent Camarena was devoted to stopping drug trafficking and breaking the cycle of drug-related crime,” said FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich in a statement Thursday. “It is because of his courage, and his selflessness, that we’re not going to stop looking for Caro-Quintero until we find him and put him back behind bars where he belongs.”
Caro-Quintero, who is in his mid-60s, has since taken a leadership role in the Sinaloa gang, the world’s most powerful drug-trafficking organization.
DEA Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson praised the FBI’s commitment to track down Caro-Quintero “until the moment he is captured and returned to his rightful place in prison.
“Kiki Camarena holds a special place in our hearts and his sacrifice will always be remembered by the men and women of DEA who carry out our mission every day,” Patterson said.
