Mexican drug kingpin Benjamin Arrellano Felix sentenced to 25 years in US prison

SAN DIEGO - A U.S. judge in San Diego has sentenced former Mexican drug kingpin Benjamin Arellano Felix to 25 years in prison.

He was also ordered Monday to forfeit $100 million.

Arellano Felix once led a Tijuana-based cartel that was one of the world's most powerful drug-trafficking organizations.

He pleaded guilty last year to racketeering and conspiracy to launder money after being extradited from Mexico.

Arellano Felix's cartel slowly lost its grip after Mexican authorities arrested him in 2002.