Suspected leader of drug cartel receives six years

An accused leader of one of Mexico's most notorious drug cartels was sentenced to six years in federal prison Monday after pleading guilty to drug conspiracy charges.

Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix, one of seven brothers allegedly behind the Tijuana-based Arellano Felix cartel, admitted selling about half a pound of cocaine to an undercover police officer at a San Diego motel in 1980.

Arellano Felix, 57, fled to Mexico after being released on $150,000 bond in September 1980. The Mexican government extradited him in September 2006.