WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 Mexico sent 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States Tuesday in the latest major deal with the Trump administration as American authorities ratchet up pressure on criminal networks smuggling drugs across the border. <\/p>\n
Those being handed over to U.S. custody include Abigael Gonz\u00e1lez Valencia, a leader of \u201cLos Cuinis,\u201d a group closely aligned with notorious cartel Jalisco New Generation or CJNG, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. Another person, Roberto Salazar, is wanted in connection to the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff\u2019s deputy, the person said. <\/p>\n
They were being flown to American soil after the Justice Department agreed not to seek the death penalty against any of the defendants or against any cartel leaders and members transferred to the U.S. in February, the person said. The person spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an operation that was still ongoing. <\/p>\n
Mexico\u2019s Attorney General\u2019s Office and Security ministry confirmed that 26 defendants were transferred but didn\u2019t identify them. Mexican security officials had planned a news conference for Wednesday.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the second time in months Mexico has expelled cartel figures accused of narcotics smuggling, murder and other crimes amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration to curb the flow of drugs across the border. In February, Mexico handed over to American authorities 29 cartel figures<\/a>, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985<\/a>. <\/p>\n Those transfers came days before 25% tariffs on Mexican imports were to take effect. Late last month, President Donald Trump<\/a> spoke with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum<\/a> and agreed to put off threatened 30% tariffs<\/a> for another 90 days to allow for negotiations.<\/p>\n Sheinbaum has shown a willingness to cooperate more on security than her predecessor, specifically being more aggressive in pursuit of Mexico\u2019s cartels. But she has drawn a clear line when it comes to Mexico\u2019s sovereignty, rejecting suggestions by Trump and others of intervention by the U.S. military.<\/p>\n The Trump administration made dismantling dangerous drug cartels a key priority, designating CJNG and seven other Latin American organized crime groups foreign terrorist organizations<\/a>. Since the new designations in February, the Trump administration has begun bringing terror charges some cartel related cases. <\/p>\n