One of the highest-ranking Mexican drug cartel leaders has been arrested in San Diego, according to officials.
Sajid Emilio Quintero Navidad, aka Cadete, was arraigned in federal court Oct. 11, 2017, following his arrest the same day at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on charges of narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy.
“Quintero Navidad is the cousin of fugitive Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero and the associate of high-ranking Mexican cartel leader Ismael Zambada-Garcia, aka Mayo. He is believed to be one of the highest-ranking Mexican cartel leaders to be arrested in the United States,” according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego.
As a cartel leader, Quintero Navidad, 36, is suspected in the transportation of tons of cocaine from South America through Mexico and into the United States, the statement continued.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury in September and had been under investigation by U.S. officials for several years.
–Staff
