Free Republic

A Mexican drug kingpin who was depicted in Netflix’s gritty crime drama “Narcos” was hauled into Brooklyn court Friday — wearing the handcuffs that belonged to the DEA agent he was convicted of kidnapping, torturing and murdering in 1985. Rafael Caro Quintero, a founding member of the Guadalajara cartel, pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in federal court in front of a packed room of more than 100 Drug Enforcement Administration agents and other members of law enforcement. The white-haired Quintero, 72, who wore tan pants and a blue and orange shirt, was brought into the courtroom with his...

A drug cartel kingpin, known as the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s top target for his role in the killing of a DEA agent, was moved from Mexico to New York City on Thursday and is expected to face a judge on Friday, according to officials and sources. Rafael Caro Quintero was among 29 cartel members the Mexican government released into US custody as President Trump has threatened to slap imports from Mexico with a 25% tariff on March 4 if the country doesn’t do more to crackdown on illegal immigration drug smuggling. “Obviously, this is one of the biggest days...

The United States managed to arrest Mexico’s most-wanted drug lord, but Mexican prosecutors — and the president — now say they are considering bringing treason charges against those who handed him over. It’s part of the long, strange trail of Sinaloa cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who unexpectedly appeared on a flight that landed near El Paso, Texas in July. That private plane flight was arranged by another drug capo who decided to turn himself in. U.S. officials say Joaquín Guzmán López — a son of imprisoned cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán — flew to the United States...

McALLEN -- A former Mexican federal police official who played a key role in busting powerful Mexican drug barons was shot to death Wednesday as he drove from the parking lot of an attorney's office in McAllen. Police said Guillermo Gonzalez Calderoni, 54, was killed by a single bullet to the head and neck area about 11 a.m. A bullet casing was recovered. The sole passenger in the car told McAllen police that a man approached the car Gonzalez was in and fired at close range through the tinted driver's side window. The suspect fled in a car with a...