U.S. returns alleged MS-13 gang leader to El Salvador

(CNN, KYMA/KECY) - The U.S. has quietly dropped charges a key alleged MS-13 leader and returned him to El Salvador.

Authorities say César Humberto López-Larios was part of the violent gang's top leadership group. He was arrested last year and charged by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn.

U.S. investigators believe he has information that could implicate Salvadoran government officials in possibly corrupt deals with the gang.

López-Larios was deported on a flight earlier this month.

It's a deal that would benefit Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who President Donald Trump says calls a friend.

U.S. prosecutors allege gang leaders cut deals with Bukele's government to reduce public murders, creating the impression of lower murder rates.