Mexican drug lord put in immigration custody for deportation

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency says Mexican drug lord Hector "El Guero" Palma has been transferred to immigration custody pending his deportation to Mexico.

The agency said in a statement that Palma was transferred from a US prison yesterday, one day ahead of his previously scheduled release date. It said "Palma will remain in ICE detention while the agency makes arrangements to carry out his removal to Mexico."

Local media have reported that Palma will be handed over next week at the Tijuana border crossing. But ICE said it won't confirm the circumstances of the handover "for security and safety reasons."

It is unclear if there are still any charges pending against him in Mexico.