U.S. Citizen Charged With Violating The Kingpin Act: Stepson Of Mexican Drug Kingpin Rafael Caro Quintero Transferred Property Into His Name To Evade Treasury Department Sanctions Program

NEW YORK – A complaint was unsealed on July 6th in the Eastern District of New York charging Bryant Espinoza Aguilar, the stepson of Sinaloa Cartel leader and notorious fugitive Rafael Caro Quintero, with conspiring to commit violations of the Kingpin Act, an economic sanctions program against narcotics traffickers that is administered and enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury. Specifically, Espinoza Aguilar is charged with assisting Caro Quintero and his common law wife by putting their assets in his own name, thereby violating OFAC’s prohibition on U.S. Citizens from conducting financial transactions with specially designated narcotics traffickers. The complaint was announced by DEA Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Richard P. Donoghue, Homeland Security Investigations New York Field Office Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh, New York City Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea, and New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett announced the charge. According to court filings, OFAC designated Caro Quintero as a specially designated narcotics trafficker in 2000, and designated Caro Quintero’s wife as a specially designated narcotics trafficker in 2016. The OFAC designations stem from Caro Quintero’s criminal history as the leader of the Caro Quintero drug trafficking organization, a faction of the Mexican organized crime syndicate known as the Sinaloa Cartel. Between January 1980 and January 2017, Caro Quintero led a continuing criminal enterprise responsible for importing into the United States and distributing massive amounts of illegal narcotics and conspiring to murder persons who posed a threat to his narcotics enterprise. The murder conspiracy includes Caro Quintero’s kidnapping and murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, in February 1985. On August 9, 2013, a Mexican tribunal ruled that Caro Quintero could be released from custody because he had been tried improperly in a federal tribunal, rather than a state tribunal. The Mexican tribunal’s finding was later overturned, but Caro Quintero remains at large as a fugitive from Mexican and U.S. justice. The complaint charges Espinoza Aguilar transferred property owned by his mother into his own name and bribed a public official to change the name of the property’s owner on public registry documents to protect the property from being restrained as a result his mother’s OFAC designation. “On February 7, 1985, DEA was forever changed when Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in Guadalajara, Mexico,” said DEA Acting Administrator Shea. “We will never forget his sacrifice and remain steadfast in our pursuit of the man responsible for his death, Rafael Caro Quintero, and those that continue to protect and enable his criminal activities. Let today’s action be a clear message to Caro Quintero, his family, and his criminal associates — we will stop at nothing in our pursuit for justice for SA Camarena.” “As alleged, the defendant acted as a straw man to protect property purchased with the illicit, blood-stained proceeds of his stepfather’s drug trafficking empire from being seized by the government,” said U.S. Attorney Donoghue. “This Office and our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration are using every legal measure at our disposal to hold accountable those enablers of Caro Quintero and bring them to justice.” Mr. Donoghue expressed his grateful appreciation to the DEA’s Raleigh Division Office for its assistance on the case. “While his stepfather, a Sinaloa Cartel leader, was specially designated by OFAC as a narcotics trafficker twenty years ago, Espinoza Aguilar is alleged to have violated the Kingpin Act by transferring his stepfather’s assets into his name, seeking to evade the sanctions program,” said HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Fitzhugh. “HSI’s partnership with the DEA and its Strike Force is one in which collaboration is key, and will continue to focus on arresting those who pursue ways to circumvent the law and hide their criminal acts.” “I commend the dedicated teamwork of the New York Strike Force which was instrumental in working to bring this suspect to justice. This defendant attempted to protect and hide the profits of dangerous narcotics that were our communities, profits made at the expense of the safety of our communities. We will continue to be vigilant in working together with our law enforcement partners to keep our neighborhoods safe, to keep harmful narcotics off our streets and those who commit these types of crimes, or protect those who do, are held accountable,” said NYSP Superintendent Corlett. “This case is another example of our joint responsibilities to eradicate international drug trafficking. Our NYPD detectives, and state and local partners, stop at nothing to stem the flow of illegal narcotics,” said NYPD Commissioner Shea. The investigation was led by the New York Strike Force, a crime-fighting unit comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The Strike Force is based at the DEA’s New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, New York National Guard, Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The government’s case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Robotti and Erin Reid are in charge of the prosecution.

Hollywood Reporter Interview With 'Narcos: Mexico' Showrunner Eric Newman

Having recently watched and enjoyed the fourth season of Narcos, Narcos: Mexico, on Netflix, I was interested in reading The Hollywood Reporter’s Q&A with Narcos’ showrunner Eric Newman.

(Spoiler alert if you’ve not yet watched Narcos: Mexico) 

Similar to the previous seasons of Narcos, the story of Narcos: Mexico unfolded under the guidance of an English-speaking narrator. This time, however, the narrator was kept secret until the final scene, and the reveal of his identity beckons more of the Narcos: Mexico story to be told.

The reset Narcos: Mexico — the fourth season overall in the Narcos saga — featured a primarily new cast when it traveled back to 1980s Mexico to show the birth of the Guadalajara cartel over the course of 10 episodes (which launched on Netflix on Nov. 16). 

In order to trace the origins of the Mexican drug war, the newest chapter in the cartel drama once again pitted a narco, Guadalajara's Felix Gallardo (Diego Luna), against a DEA agent, Kiki Camarena (Michael Pena). After building his empire — one that included both Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura) and their Colombian rivals in Cali in a surprise crossover episode — Narcos: Mexico arrived to the unhappy ending the narrator had warned about in the season's opening minutes: Camarena was abducted, tortured and killed by Gallardo and his men.

"Kiki Camarena is the first martyr in the drug war," showrunner Eric Newman tells The Hollywood Reporter of the much-documented true story of Camarena, the undercover Mexican-American DEA agent who was abducted in Guadalajara and killed in 1985. "The collision between [Kiki and Felix] became so immediately clear as the best path to get to jumpstarting the Mexican chapter of this story."

You can read the rest of the interview via the below link:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/narcos-mexico-finale-narrator-season-2-explained-1160925 

Fugitive Wanted For The Kidnapping And Murder Of A Federal Agent Is Added To The FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” List

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.