DEA’s Kiki Camarena remembered for his ultimate sacrifice

The House of Representatives will consider a resolution honoring the life and memory of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena on the 25th anniversary of his death.


The resolution is put forth by Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr. (R-CA) in an effort to recognize “Kiki’s” accomplishment with the war on drugs.


Agent Camarena was first assigned to the Calexico, California, then later to the Guadalajara resident office. While there, agent Camarena was kidnapped by a group of armed men, tortured and eventually killed.


“Kiki Camarena is a national hero of the war on drugs,” said Congressman Hunter. “Throughout his career, agent Camarena demonstrated an unrelenting commitment to protect our communities from the threat of drug crime and addiction. Twenty-five years after his death, agent Camarena’s memory lives on through a nationally recognized drug prevention program while his sacrifice reminds us all about the dangers associated with the illegal drug trade.”


Hunter said, “As drug cartels and criminal organizations south of the border strengthen their efforts, we must do the same. Agent Camarena dedicated his life to keeping drugs off our streets, a mission that is as dangerous today as it was 25 years ago when agent Camarena was killed in the line of duty.”


Camarena’s legacy symbolizes the commitment to fighting illegal drugs and serves to influence millions of others by encouraging healthy and drug-free lifestyles.


“All of us in law enforcement, whether active or retired, owe a debt of gratitude to Congressman Duncan Hunter for keeping the memory of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar alive 25 years after his death,” said retired DEA SAC Sandalio Gonzalez.

Kiki Camarena was a proud Marine and an outstanding DEA agent. He was brutally tortured and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers in Guadalajara in 1985, and the nation has not been the same since, according to Gonzalez.

“His death was a watershed event in our struggle against illegal drugs for it suddenly brought the grim reality of drug trafficking into our living rooms. The subsequent search for his killers united U.S. federal law enforcement in a way never before seen. I was privileged to have taken part in that effort,” Gonzalez said. “A Congressional Resolution to honor Kiki's life and memory is a fitting tribute to his dedicated service to the nation.”

In order to learn from the past the Enrique S. Camarena Educational Foundation works to help youth realize their highest potential for success in life by living drug free.

The mission of the Enrique “Kiki” S. Camarena Educational Foundation is to eradicate drug abuse in our nation’s youth and to honor fallen and injured hero's in the fight against illegal drugs. The Foundation accomplishes its mission through three drug abuse awareness programs: placement of memorial Camarena busts, scholarships for deserving high school seniors and participation in the Red Ribbon Campaign. They believe youth achieve their highest potential for success in life when drug free.

For more information; http://www.camarenafoundation.org/

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