ICE deports convicted drug kingpin wanted for murder in Mexico

PHILADELPHIA – A Mexican drug lord who was responsible for multi-ton shipments of cocaine to associates in the United States – and was also wanted for a murder in his home country – was deported April 11 by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Upon his return, he was turned over to Mexican law enforcement officials.

Javier Torres Felix, 53, a member of the Sinaloa Cartel, was deported via ICE Air Operations. Torres Felix was transferred into ERO custody from Bureau of Prisons custody April 8 prior to his removal.

Torres Felix was responsible for the receipt and distribution of millions of dollars in drug proceeds gained from the Zambada-Garcia trafficking activities. Torres Felix, a top Zambada-Garcia lieutenant, was previously convicted in October 1993 in the Superior Court of Los Angeles for conspiracy to commit unlawful transportation and sale or administration of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to eight years in prison. In October 1996, a federal immigration judge ordered Torres Felix removed from the United States and he was subsequently removed to Mexico Nov. 18, 1996, by ERO.

In January 2003, Torres Felix was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for conspiracy to import and distribute cocaine. He was subsequently extradited to the United States from Mexico in 2006 to face multiple drug charges in California. He was convicted Sept. 9, 2008, on the criminal charges and sentenced to 126 months in federal prison.

"Torres Felix thought he could come to the United States and commit crimes with impunity," said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO Philadelphia. "He was wrong, and now this convicted drug kingpin will face justice in his home country."

ERO officers turned Torres Felix over to Mexican law enforcement authorities April 11 upon his arrival in Mexico. He now faces murder chargers there.

ERO coordinated his removal removal with the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia; ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Office of International Affairs; and ICE's Office of Congressional Relations.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 566 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with HSI's Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.