Drug cartel leader pleads guilty to selling cocaine
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An accused leader of one of Mexico’s most notorious drug cartels pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges of selling cocaine in a San Diego motel.
Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix, one of seven brothers allegedly behind the Tijuana-based Arellano Felix cartel, admitted selling about half a pound of cocaine to an undercover police officer in 1980. He faces up to 15 years in prison, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Laura Duffy.
Arellano Felix, 57, fled to Mexico after being released on $150,000 bond in September 1980.
He returned to California in September 2006 after being extradited by the Mexican government.
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