Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Mexico has transferred 26 people suspected of leading drug cartels to the United States, both countries confirmed Tuesday, as President Donald Trump continues pressing the Mexican government on the criminal networks.
Mexico's Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection Omar Garcia Harfuch confirmed the transfer in a post on X, writing that the deal was reached "in bilateral coordination and with full respect for our sovereignty." The U.S. Justice Department agreed to not seek the death penalty, Garcia wrote in his post.
The suspected cartel leaders face a litany of federal and state charges related to drug trafficking, kidnaping, human smuggling, illegal use of firearms, the murder of a sheriff's deputy and others, according to a U.S. Justice Department press release.
"These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to American shores -- under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country," U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. "We are grateful to Mexico's National Security team for their collaboration in this matter."
Those transferred include Abigael Gonzalez Valencia, who is accused of being a leader of Los Cuinis, a Mexican cartel known for trafficking large quantities of cocaine into the United States.
