US to seek extradition of Mexican drug kingpin's nephew

NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors in Brooklyn said Monday y intend to seek extradition of a nephew of convicted Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, a torious underworld figure who is on FBI’s most-wanted list for murder of a federal nt over three decades ago.

U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of New York anunced unsealing of an indictment charging Ismael Quintero Arellanes with conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as unlawful use of arms.

Quintero Arellanes, 49, is accused of being an associate of Caro Quintero drug trafficking organization, a faction of Sinaloa cartel, prosecutors said. He was arrested in Mexico at end of January.

Caro Quintero, his uncle, is accused of distributing “massive amounts of illegal narcotics” and also in kidnapping and murder of DEA Special nt Enrique Camarena in Mexico in 1985.

After spending years in prison in Mexico, Caro Quintero was freed in 2013, a decision that angered Washington. A Mexican federal court has issued a warrant for his re-arrest, but he remains at large.

Ray Dovan, special nt-in-charge of DEA’s New York Division, said in a statement Monday that Quintero Arellanes’ arrest and indictment are indicative that “ walls are closing in on members of Sinaloa cartel.”

If extradited and convicted, Quintero Arellanes faces a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.

(AP Photo)