The U.S. Justice Department
released the below information:
Federal Bureau of
Investigation Deputy Director David L. Bowdich, Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson, U.S. Department of State Deputy
Assistant Secretary James Walsh, and U.S. Marshals Service Acting Associate Director
Derrick Driscoll today announced the addition of fugitive Rafael Caro-Quintero
to the FBI’s list of “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.”
Fugitive Rafael Caro-Quintero
marks the 518th addition to the “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list. Caro-Quintero
is wanted for his alleged involvement in the 1985 kidnapping and murder of DEA
Special Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar aka “Kiki.” This is the first time a DEA
fugitive has been listed on the FBI Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List.
In addition, DEA and U.S.
Attorney Richard P. Donoghue for the Eastern District of New York today
announced the unsealing of an additional indictment against Quintero, alleging
his role as leader of a continuing criminal enterprise and the individual
responsible for the brutal murder of Camarena. The indictment also details his
leadership role in trafficking methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana
into the United States and elsewhere and reflects his criminal activities from
1980 to 2017. (EDNY Docket No. 15-CO-208(S-2)
On July 30, 1992, a federal
arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, Central District of
California, charging Caro-Quintero with violent crimes in aid of racketeering;
conspiracy to kidnap a federal agent; kidnapping of a federal agent; felony
murder of a federal agent; aiding and abetting; and accessory after the fact.
“Together with our federal
partners at the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Department of
State, we are committed to bring to justice this dangerous criminal and cartel
leader responsible for the brutal murder of a DEA Agent,” said FBI Deputy
Director Bowdich. “Special Agent Camarena was devoted to stopping drug
trafficking and breaking the cycle of drug-related crime. He showed tremendous
courage to pursue the most violent drug traffickers, and 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.”
“The DEA is grateful for all
of the federal law enforcement agencies that have committed to pursuing Rafael
Caro-Quintero until the moment he is captured and returned to his rightful
place in prison,” said DEA Acting Administrator Patterson. ‘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.”
“Our $20 million Narcotics
Reward Program offer reflects the State Department’s commitment to the
government-wide effort to track down Caro-Quintero,” said Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State Walsh. “We’re pleased to be using the Reward Program to
support this reinvigorated law enforcement effort, and at long last bring this
criminal to justice.”
“The U.S. Marshals remain
steadfast in the pursuit of justice for our brother, DEA Special Agent “Kiki”
Camarena,” said U.S. Marshals Associate Director for Operations Derrick
Driscoll. “We will continue to leverage all resources and work with our law
enforcement partners here and in Mexico to develop the information that will
lead to the capture of Rafael Caro Quintero.”
Caro-Quintero is widely
regarded as one of the Mexican “godfathers” of drug trafficking, and helped to
form the Guadalajara Cartel in the late 1970s. Allegedly, he became one of the
primary suppliers of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana to the United States, and
was in charge of the cartel in Costa Rica and the U.S./Mexico border.
In November of 1984, Mexican
authorities raided a 2,500 acre marijuana plantation owned by Caro-Quintero.
The Guadalajara Cartel blamed Special Agent Camarena for the takedown, and
decided to retaliate.
Special Agent Camarena – a
former Marine, fireman, police officer, and deputy sheriff – was extremely
close to unlocking a million-dollar drug pipeline from Mexico to the United
States in 1985. Before he was able to expose the drug-trafficking operations,
he was kidnapped en route to lunch with his wife on Feb. 7, 1985, in
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Allegedly, the direct orders for the kidnapping
came from Caro-Quintero. Camarena was surrounded by five armed men who threw
him into a car, then sped away. It is believed that Camarena died within two to
three days of his kidnapping, but his body was not found until March 5, 1985.
Special Agent Camarena is survived by his wife and three sons.
The Department of State’s
Narcotics Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $20 million for
information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Rafael Caro-Quintero.
Anyone with information concerning Caro-Quintero should take no action
themselves, but should immediately contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate.
Caro-Quintero is described as
follows:
Name: Rafael Caro-Quintero,
aka “Rafa”
Dates of Birth Used: Oct. 24,
1952; October 2, 1952; Nov. 24, 1952; Oct. 24, 1955; Nov. 24, 1955; March 9,
1963
Height: 6’0”
Weight: Approximately 159 to
170 pounds
Place of Birth: Badiraguato,
Sinaloa, Mexico
Rafael Caro-Quintero replaces
Jesus Roberto Munguia on the “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list.
The FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted
Fugitives” list was established in March of 1950. Since then, 484 fugitives
have been apprehended or located – 162 of them as a result of citizen
cooperation.
Tips may also be directed
1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or can be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.
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