Mexico has expelled 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States in the latest major deal with the Trump administration as American authorities ratchet up pressure on criminal networks sending drugs across the border,

The cartel leaders and other prominent figures were being flown from Mexico to the United States on Tuesday, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the operation was still underway.

Mexico agreed to extradite 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the U.S. in a big move under President Donald Trump's administration, according to a report.

We have to start treating them as armed terrorist organizations, not simply drug-dealing organizations,’ emphasized Marco Rubio on the threat of drug cartel.

The president has ordered the Pentagon to use the armed forces to carry out what in the past was considered law enforcement.

President Donald Trump's administration can use the military to go after Latin American drug gangs that have been designated as global terrorist organizations and has directed the Pentagon to prepare options,