Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, former leader of the Gulf Cartel and founder of Los Zetas, is released from prison in the US.

Drug trafficking

Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, former leader of the Gulf Cartel and founder of Los Zetas, is released from prison in the US.

The Mexican drug trafficker left the Terre Haute High Security Penitentiary in Indiana and regained his freedom after 21 years in prison.

Osiel Cárdenas Guillén was the leader of the Gulf Cartel. (Photo by Prensa Libre: Pixabay)

This Friday, August 30, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, former head of the Gulf Cartel, was released from prison in the United States.

Cárdenas Guillén, also a founder of Los Zetas, left the Terre Haute Maximum Security Penitentiary in Indiana after spending 21 years behind bars.

According to information revealed by El Universal, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed that the drug trafficker will not receive witness protection nor will he be returned to Mexico.

He also said that Osiel Cárdenas Guillén can leave the United States and go wherever he decides because he has regained his freedom in full.

In 2009, the then leader of the Gulf Cartel pleaded guilty to five charges against him for cocaine and marijuana trafficking, money laundering and threats against US security agents.

During his trial in the United States, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén was sentenced to 25 years in prison after reaching a plea agreement with authorities.

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The drug lord’s release came after the time he spent in custody in Mexico after his arrest in 2003 and subsequent extradition was taken into account, and his prison time was reduced for good behavior.

Osiel Cárdenas Guillén is accused in Mexico of multiple charges of organized crime and drug trafficking; however, after serving his sentence in the United States, the drug trafficker will not be returned to his country.