An accused leader of one of Mexico's most infamous drug cartels has pleaded guilty to drug charges in federal court in San Diego. The man was extradited from Mexico nine months ago. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix's guilty plea comes almost 27 years after he first was arrested in San Diego.
In 1980, federal agents nabbed Arellano Felix as he was counting his money during the sale of about a half of a pound of cocaine to a undercover DEA agent.
After about a month in jail, Arellano Felix posted bail and fled to Mexico.
There, he allegedly helped the Arellano Felix Cartel become the prominent cocaine smuggling organization in Mexico.
In 1993, Tijuana police arrested Arellano Felix on arms charges and he was sentenced to ten years in prison.
U.S. authorities requested his extradition as he neared the end of his jail time.
Finally, in September 2006, Arellano Felix was returned to custody in San Diego.
Sentencing is scheduled for September. He faces up to 15 years in jail.
Meanwhile, Arellano Felix's younger brother is also in jail in San Diego and could face the death penalty for his own involvement in the cartel.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
