Mexico handed over prominent underworld figures to US authorities on Thursday, part of a surprise extradition that included about 30 people serving prison sentences or in pre-trial detention, accused of links to violent drug cartels.
Some are early gang leaders who reigned over international cocaine and heroin trafficking networks decades ago. Others, much younger leaders, have recently become involved in trafficking large quantities of the deadly fentanyl into the United States.
Mexican authorities confirmed that officials have handed over 29 known drug cartel figures to the United States. The decision comes after President Donald Trump's continued threats to impose tariffs on all Mexican goods, which he said Thursday will take effect on March 4.
This is the most unusual and largest extradition undertaken by Mexico in years.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi, in a written statement, confirmed that the United States had taken 29 underworld figures into custody.
At least two of them - including Rafael Caro Quinteron, who is suspected of being one of those responsible for the 1985 killing of a US drug enforcement agent - will appear in federal court in Brooklyn on Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Other drug trafficking names were also handed over, such as Antonio Oseguera Cervantes - the brother of Mexico's most wanted drug boss, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, who heads the most powerful 'Jalisco New Generation' cartel.
US authorities had offered a $15 million reward for any information leading to the arrest of Nemesio, known as "El Mencho."
US authorities say the Jalisco New Generation is one of two major Mexican drug gangs, along with the notorious Sinaloa cartel, responsible for smuggling fentanyl into the US in recent years.
A high-ranking figure in the Sinaloa cartel led by the sons of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, Jose Angel "El Guerito" Canobbio, was also among those surrendered by Mexican authorities.
The mass extradition marks a significant escalation compared to previous years.
Between 2019 and 2023, Mexico handed over an average of about 65 criminal suspects to the United States per year, according to data provided by a U.S. official. /VOA (A2 Televizion)
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