Benjamin Arellano Felix is named in two U.S. indictments alleging conspiracy, money laundering, drug trafficking, operating a drug smuggling organization and murder.

DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.alleged former leader of Mexico's Tijuana drug cartel, currently in American custody, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors, his attorney told CNN Wednesday.
Benjamin Arellano Felix is named in two U.S. indictments alleging conspiracy, money laundering, drug trafficking, operating a drug smuggling organization and murder.
Arellano Felix's attorney, Anthony Colombo, confirmed the plan to change the plea from not guilty to guilty at a hearing Wednesday, but declined to provide details until after the hearing, slated for 12:15 p.m. in San Diego (3:15 p.m. ET). It was not revealed if the charges will be reduced.
Arellano Felix was one of seven brothers who allegedly ran the cartel until he and the majority of the leadership were arrested. Officials say the Tijuana cartel, also known as the Arellano Felix Organization, was weakened as a result but is still considered one of Mexico's major drug trafficking operations.
He has been convicted of organized crime activities in Mexico and has been serving several sentences in prison.
The Tijuana cartel, during its peak in the 1990s and early 2000s, controlled the flow of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs into the United States through Tijuana and Mexicali.
In addition to trafficking drugs, the cartel under Arellano Felix's leadership ran a network of bribes, spies and killings, according to the Mexican attorney general's office.
He was considered the brains and accountant for the organization, the agency said.
Arellano Felix was arrested in 2002 in the state of Puebla. Extradition processes against him began in 2007.