In a surprising turn of events, notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero is claiming that he is not actually Rafael Caro Quintero in a bid to avoid extradition to the United States. Despite being sought by American authorities for multiple charges, including the infamous Camarena Case, the Sinaloa cartel boss is putting forth a unique legal strategy to challenge his identity.
Court documents reveal that Caro Quintero has requested a series of expert opinions, including physiognomic identity system analysis and forensic photography examination, to prove that he is not the person depicted in the photographs and videos presented by the Department of Justice. He is also questioning the accuracy of the translations in the formal extradition request, arguing that it violates due process.
This argument of mistaken identity is not uncommon in extradition trials, with other drug traffickers like Ovidio Guzmán López and Eduardo Arellano Félix utilizing similar tactics in the past. However, Caro Quintero’s case is unique due to the multiple charges he is facing in various courts across the United States.
Despite his efforts to delay the extradition process, experts believe that Caro Quintero may ultimately be handed over to American authorities. With 10 and a half years left to serve in Mexico for the Camarena crime, the potential for facing multiple trials in the US looms large for the 71-year-old drug kingpin.
It remains to be seen whether Caro Quintero’s unconventional legal strategy will be successful in avoiding extradition and a potential life sentence in the United States. As the legal battle continues, the fate of one of the most wanted fugitives in both Mexico and the US hangs in the balance.