Mexico Frees Drug Lord Linked to Infamous Killing of DEA Agent As Agency Still Lists Him as a 'Dangerous' Fugitive

A drug lord convicted for the 1985 killing of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena has been released after serving a 40-year sentence in Mexico despite still being classified as a fugitive by the DEA.

According to the Associated Press, an unnamed federal agent confirmed the release of Ernesto "Don Neto" Fonseca Carrillo late Wednesday. He is one of the founders of the now-defunct Guadalajara Cartel and was convicted for his role in the kidnapping, torture, and murder of both DEA agent Camarena and Mexican pilot Alfredo Zavala.

Fonseca, now 94, had been under house arrest near Mexico City since 2016 due to his age and declining health. Despite this, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) still lists him as a fugitive. On the agency's official website Fonseca is wanted for multiple federal crimes, including kidnapping and murdering a federal agent, extortion, and conspiracy to commit violent crimes.

Fonseca's DEA profile includes warnings that he is "armed and dangerous" and notes that he was formerly employed as a lawyer. He is sought under the jurisdiction of the Central District of California, where he faces unresolved criminal charges. Fonseca is known to have used several aliases during his criminal career, including "Don Neto," "El Jefe," "El Lic," and "Escobedo Ingeniero."

Though Mexico previously denied a U.S. extradition request in 2015—citing constitutional protections against double jeopardy—the DEA has repeatedly expressed its desire to bring all those involved in Camarena's murder to justice in the U.S. In fact, Fonseca's co-founder, Rafael Caro Quintero, was extradited to the U.S. just two months ago and could face the death penalty.

When asked about the possibility of Fonseca being handed over to U.S. authorities, President Claudia Sheinbaum said she did not know any current requests from American agencies.

"I have no knowledge of any request from the DEA or any U.S. agency. I asked the [Security] Cabinet today, and they confirmed that he completed his sentence—The man is 95 years old, I believe, and for now, he remains at home," Sheinbaum explained.

The Mexican President also clarified that Fonseca's release was due to him completing his sentence and that, to her knowledge, no new actions are being taken by the U.S. at this time.