US Court Orders Forfeiture of 5 Real Estate Properties Purchased By Rafael Caro Quintero in Guadalajara

“MX” for Borderland Beat

In a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, US District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano authorized the seizure and forfeiture of five pieces of real property located in and around Guadalajara, Mexico, that were purchased by Rafael Caro Quintero. These properties were reportedly bought with drug proceeds, and the US will seek to enforce this order through diplomatic channels with Mexico.

“Today’s order is another step forward in our relentless pursuit of justice for the victims of Caro Quintero’s brutal drug trafficking organization and especially for DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena, who was tragically murdered at the hands of Caro Quintero’s crime syndicate,” stated Acting United States Attorney Lesko. 

“In forfeiting these drug-tainted properties, we join with the Mexican government and our law enforcement partners at the DEA to commemorate Special Agent Camarena’s life and remember his ultimate sacrifice.”

According to the forfeiture complaint, between January 1980 and March 2015, the Caro Quintero was involved in a large scale drug trafficking operation involving multi-ton quantities of marijuana, multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from Mexico to the United States.

US investigators say that Caro Quintero used these drug earnings to purchase real estate properties in or around the Guadalajara area. Caro Quintero allegedly placed the properties in the names of family members to conceal his ownership of the properties and use of illegal proceeds to purchase them, and to prevent Mexican authorities from seizing them.

Properties in Guadalajara

(i) The real property in Calle Paseo de los Virreyes, 4283, Lot 21, Mza 41, Fraccionamiento Villa Universitaria, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. It was under the name of Hector Rafael Caro Elenes, with a usufruct granted for life to Rafael Caro Quintero and Elizabeth Elenes de Caro

(ii) The real property in Avenida Melchor Ocampo, 468 Bodega (Local) 21, Fraccionamiento Mercado de Abastos Norte, Guadalajara. It was held in the names of Hector Rafael, Roxana Elizabeth, Henoch Emilio and Mario Yibran, all with the surnames Caro Elenes, with a usufruct granted for life to Rafael Caro Quintero and Elizabeth Elenes de Caro.

(iii) The real property in Calle Sagitario 5289-8, Condominio Sagitario, Fraccionamiento Residencial Arboldeas, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; held in the name of Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes.

(iv) The real property in Calle Sagitaro 5289-9, Condominio Sagitario, Fraccionamiento Residencial Arboldeas, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; held in the name of Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes.

(v) The real property in Calle Luigi Pirandello 5397, Lote 29B, Mza 145, Fraccionamiento Vallarta Univerisdad, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico; held in the name of Roxana Elizabeth Caro Elenes.

Sources: USDOJ; Google Maps

Rafael Caro Quintero – Partial Forfeiture Decree and Default Judgement by MX on Scribd