A Mexican drug cartel leader, Rafael Caro Quintero, was released from prison after an appeals court overturned his sentence for three murders, despite him still having 12 years left on his sentence. Both the United States and Mexico were not informed of his release before dawn and have made great efforts to return him to prison. The families of six Americans killed by the cartel have had bitter memories revived by the decision, as it was a catalyst for modern drug trafficking in Mexico.