Mexican Cartel Boss Pleads Guilty In U.S. Court

October 24, 2009 9:45 a.m. EST

Denver, CO (AHN) - Miguel Caro Quintero, one of the leaders of Mexico's Sonora drug cartel, pled guilty to charges of marijuana trafficking in a Denver courtroom.

Caro Quintero, 46, admitted to his role in a massive international drug smuggling scheme that brought over 100 tons of marijuana to the United States during the mid 1980's, and returned over $100,000,000 to criminals in Mexico.

Caro Quintero, was indicted in the United States in 1990, arrested in Mexico in 2001 and extradited in 2009. In Mexico, Caro Quintero served out a conviction for "weapons possession crimes," according to the U.S. Justice Department.

"Today's guilty plea demonstrates the Department of Justice's willingness to pursue drug kingpins no matter how long ago they were charged with a crime," said U.S. Attorney David Gaouette. "I especially want to thank all of the law enforcement agents and officers here in Colorado as well as in Arizona and Mexico for their perseverance in bringing this major drug trafficker to justice."

Caro Quintero is scheduled to be sentenced in February, 2010. He faces as many as 20 years in prison.