Caro Quintero had served 28 years of a 40-year sentence for the brutal death of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique Camarena and was released after a Mexican court ruled he should have been tried at a state level rather than on federal charges.
The DEA said it was “deeply troubled” by his early release and that it would push for him to be tried in a U.S. court.
“We are reminded every day of the ultimate sacrifice paid by Special Agent Camarena and DEA will vigorously continue its efforts to ensure Caro Quintero faces charges in the United States for the crimes he committed,” it said in a statement.
Caro Quintero, who is believed to be 60, holds a special place in Mexican drug lore. He was one of the leaders of the Guadalajara cartel, a forerunner of the Sinaloa cartel which is currently led by Joaquin “Shorty” Guzman, the country’s most-wanted drug lord.