Benjamin Arellano Felix Pleads Guilty in The United States, Strikes Deal to Shorten His Sentence to 25 Years

The kingpin of the Tijuana Cartel, Benjamin Arellano Felix, yesterday pleaded guilty to conspiracy and money laundering in the United States in a deal with prosecutors in that country to avoid trial and get a sentence of 25 years in prison instead of a worth much more.

The federal prosecutor handling the case came to agreement that dismisses other charges that would have raised the Arellano Felix sentence of 140 years. In this way he avoided the fate of his brother Francisco Javier, sentenced to life imprisonment.

However, the agreement cancels a trial against one of the leaders of the most powerful Mexican drug in the last 20 years.

As part of the agreement, Arellano Felix admitted headed an organization that distributed hundreds of tons of cocaine and marijuana in the United States and the murder of rival criminals and bribery of officials.

The Justice Department gave no explanation of the reasons why the agreement was reached.

The retired federal prosecutor, John Kirby, who prepared the case against Arellano in 2003, said it is supported by witnesses who cooperated with the government and not with physical evidence and that such cases are “decay” over time.

Arellano Felix was arrested in Mexico in 2002, after the murder of his brother Ramon, and was sentenced to 22 years in prison for drug trafficking, but last year he was extradited.