Defendant in Drug Agent’s Death Tied to Mexican Drug Kingpin, Records Show

One of two men arraigned Monday in the murder of federal drug agent Enrique Camarena is a known Mexican narcotics dealer who helped a drug kingpin flee Mexico after the slaying, court records say.

Jesus Felix-Gutierrez, 38, owner of R & G Sales, a now-defunct El Monte distributor of Mexican products, helped so-called drug overlord Rafael Caro Quintero flee Mexico after Camarena’s kidnap and murder in 1985 and gave him refuge at his Costa Rica ranch, Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Douglas Kuehl said in a 53-page affidavit filed in federal court.

Felix was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate James Penne along with Felix’s nephew, Carlos Felix-Gutierrez, 26, both Mexican citizens.

Penne granted requests from defense attorneys to delay until Wednesday a hearing on the government’s request that both men be denied bail pending indictment and trial.

Jan. 20 Arraignment

Penne also scheduled Jan. 20 for both men’s arraignment on an indictment expected within 10 days to replace the complaint used to arrest them on Christmas Eve at a home in an unincorporated Los Angeles County area near El Monte.

The arrests were made by sheriff’s deputies and 45 agents from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The agents were part of the Operation Leyenda task force investigating the slaying of Camarena, who was kidnaped near the American Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico, in February, 1985. The task force is also investigating the killing of Alfredo Zavala Avelar, a Mexican pilot who occasionally flew for the DEA.

Caro Quintero is one of several major Mexican drug traffickers accused of the murders. He was arrested in Costa Rica and is currently jailed in Mexico.

Flight to Costa Rica

Following the murders, Caro Quintero “fled to Costa Rica with the help of Jesus Felix” and stayed at Felix’s ranch, La Quinta, until his arrest, the affidavit said.

The affidavit said Jesus Felix’s drug record dates back to March, 1976, when he was arrested by the Montebello Police Department for possession of heroin and amphetamine tablets.