Details of Matta's early life and career are uncertain. According to a website put up by his family, he was born in … See more

In the early 1980s, Matta was involved with major cocaine smuggling operations. In 1984, he was indicted for his role in a Van Nuys smuggling ring. The discovery of the ring in 1981 resulted in the seizure of 114 pounds of c… See more

Soon after the February 1985 kidnap-murder of U.S. DEA agent Enrique Camarena, Matta was suspected of involvement, and he was later indicted for his part in the kidnapping. According to journalist … See more

The Honduran Constitution prohibited the extradition of Honduran citizens, and for two years Honduran authorities rejected U.S. requests to extradite Matta. Finally, in April 1988, Honduran police arrested Matta and put hi… See more

Like other notable players in the Camarena case, Rafael Caro Quintero, Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo and Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, Matta was eventually convicted as one of the masterminds behind the 1985 kidnapping… See more