MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico has sent drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985, to the United States with 28 other prisoners requested by the U.S. government, the Mexican government said in a statement Thursday.

The unprecedented show of security cooperation comes as top Mexican officials are in Washington trying to head off the Trump administration's threat of imposing 25% tariffs on all Mexican imports.

Rafael Caro Quintero, who authorities say is a cartel boss and spent decades in prison in Mexico for the murder of a DEA agent, is due to be arraigned in U.S. federal court on Friday on trafficking charges,

Mexico's attorney general's office and the security ministry confirmed that officials were handing over 29 cartel figures to the U.S.

Mexico has extradited 29 alleged drug cartel members to the United States – including high-profile gang leaders. Those extradited include notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero who has been wanted by the US for the murder of an American agent 40 years ago.

By Drazen Jorgic, Laura Gottesdiener and Lizbeth Diaz MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico on Thursday handed over major figures in the country's criminal underworld to U.S. authorities, part of a surprise extradition of nearly 30 jailed convicts or others accused of ties to violent drug cartels.