The Justice Department says a top killer for Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel has been extradited to the U.S. to face drug, gun, witness retaliation charges.

Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, or \"El Nini,\" who is accused of heading security for a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, was extradited to the United States on Saturday, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement.

Nestor Isidro Pérez Salas, also known as “El Nini,” is a leader of a group that provided security for the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, federal investigators said.

He is thought to be a close associate of the sons of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in the U.S.

A top assassin in Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel was extradited Saturday to the United States, the head of the Department of Justice said, where he will face charges linked to drug smuggling, murder and torture.