13 Drug Cartel Chiefs Extradited to the U.S. from Mexico Including Edgar 'La Barbie' Valdez

Thirteen drug lords were extradited from Mexico to the U.S. including Edgar "La Barbie" Valdez.

He and 12 other defendants are being shipped to the United States for a number of criminal offenses including, violent crimes, drug-trafficking, and the murder of a U.S. consulate employee according to a Justice Department statement.

Valdez and another cartel chief, Carlos Montemayor, are wanted in Northern Georgia for conspiring to distribute cocaine and launder money in Georgia during the month of June.

Valdez is also charged with narcotics-related charges in Louisiana according to NBC News. Valdez is known as one of the most powerful members of the Beltran Leyva cartel after Mexican soldiers killed their former chief, Arturo Beltran Leyva in December 2009. His death lead to a struggle for power amongst the remaining members.

As Reuters points out, Valdez grew up selling drugs in the U.S. He then developed an affinity for luxury cars, nightclubs, and designer clothes.

Julio Cesar Valenzuela-Elizalde who is known as "The Pilot," was also extradited along with Jorge Costilla, known as "El Coss." NBC explains Costilla was a "longstanding leader of Mexico's Gulf Cartel" He was captured by the Mexican Navy in September 2012.

The extradition of the 13 drug chiefs takes place 3 months after Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman escaped from a high-security prison in central Mexico through a mile-long tunnel in his prison cell. As NBC writes, "this was an embarrassment to the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto."

"After the jailbreak, the Mexican government revealed it had received a U.S. extradition request for the Sinaloa boss, who was the most wanted drug lord in the world before his capture in February 2014."

The Pena Nieto administration was initially against extradition. Critics of the administration reportedly urged the government to transfer Guzman out of the country. At that time, the administration cited national sovereignty, however it appears Mexico has had a major change of heart.

The U.S. Department of Justice is quite pleased with Mexico's efforts, as the Attorney General Loretta Lynch praised the country for their cooperation.

"I am grateful to our Mexican counterparts not only for their assistance with this important matter, but also for their extraordinary efforts and unwavering partnership in our ongoing fight against international organized crime," said Lynch.