Benjamín Arellano Félix
Encyclopedia
Benjamín Arellano Félix is a Mexican
drug trafficker and former leader of the Mexican criminal organization known as the Tijuana drug Cartel
or 'Arellano-Félix Organization'.
s and the supplier of a third of U.S.A.'s cocaine
. Benjamín had six brothers:
He also has four sisters, and Alicia and Enedina
are most active in the cartel's affairs.
Benjamín was first arrested on June 18, 1982 in Downey, California for receiving 100 kilos of cocaine
smuggled through the San Ysidro border, however, he escaped custody. The Arellano Félix brothers obtained their first big break in 1989 when they inherited the organization from Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo
after they showed early promise smuggling consumer electronics over the border. By 1998, the Arellano brothers had been indicted in the U.S. for drug trafficking and his brother Ramón was put on the FBI's 10 most wanted list.
Despite the brothers' audacity, they remained untouchable for 13 years. This was done, in part, with prodigious amounts of cash, bribing politicians and police commanders, at the cost of an estimated $1m USD per week.
Benjamín Arellano tried to clear his name after the 1993 murder of Cardinal Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo, in which he had been implicated. That high-profile assassination brought international attention to his trafficking organization and though, this forced Benjamín to lie low and adopt false names, he continued to live in casual confidence, apparently unafraid of capture. Another of Benjamin's brothers, Francisco, was arrested soon after on drug charges and Benjamín, Ramón and Javier officially became fugitives.
learned that Benjamín's oldest daughter had a very recognizable and rare facial deformity and that she was the "soft spot" in her father's violent life. By tracing her, they found her father. Benjamin was arrested on March 9, 2002 by the Mexican Army
in the state of Puebla
, Mexico. He had a $2 million USD bounty for his arrest. Authorities are not sure where Arellano's money went, beyond some real estate investments in Tijuana. Mexican officials say it has been invested in U.S. real estate, while their U.S. counterparts say much of it is hidden in cash in Mexico. He was extradited to the United States in April 29, 2011 to face charges of trafficking cocaine into California.
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
drug trafficker and former leader of the Mexican criminal organization known as the Tijuana drug Cartel
Tijuana Cartel
The Tijuana Cartel is a Mexican drug cartel based in Tijuana. The cartel has been described as "one of the biggest and most violent criminal groups in Mexico"...
or 'Arellano-Félix Organization'.
Biography
Benjamín Arellano Félix, who worked closely with his brothers, was one of Mexico's most powerful drug lordDrug lord
A drug lord, drug baron or kingpin is the term used to describe a person who controls a sizable network of persons involved in the illegal drugs trade. Such figures are often difficult to bring to justice, as they might never be directly in possession of something illegal, but are insulated from...
s and the supplier of a third of U.S.A.'s cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
. Benjamín had six brothers:
- Francisco Rafael Arellano FélixFrancisco Rafael Arellano FélixFrancisco Rafael Arellano Félix is a Mexican drug lord involved in the Tijuana Cartel. The oldest of a gang of seven brothers who allegedly ran the Tijuana-based drug cartel, he coordinated the buying, selling, and movements of narcotics on behalf of the organization.He was arrested on August 7,...
(born 24 October 1949) - Captured and released - Carlos Arellano FélixCarlos Arellano FélixCarlos Alberto Arellano Félix is a Mexican surgeon by training and one of the Arellano-Félix brothers, who lead the criminal organization known as the Tijuana Cartel....
(believed to be born 20 August 1955) - Eduardo Arellano FélixEduardo Arellano FélixEduardo Arellano Félix is a Mexican drug trafficker, brother of Benjamín, Ramón, Javier and sister Enedina, all drug traffickers. The Arellano-Félix Organisation, also known as the Tijuana Cartel, has been responsible for countless murders and the smuggling of thousands of tons of marijuana,...
(born 11 October 1956), - Captured - Ramón Eduardo Arellano Félix (born 31 August 1964) - Deceased, shot by police in 2002
- Luis Fernando Arellano Félix (believed to be born 26 January 1966) is not currently wanted.
- Francisco Javier Arellano FélixFrancisco Javier Arellano FélixFrancisco Javier Arellano Félix , the brother of Ramón Arellano Félix, is a Mexican drug lord and leader of the Tijuana Cartel involved in drug-smuggling operations from Mexico to the United States....
(born 11 December 1969) - Captured
He also has four sisters, and Alicia and Enedina
Enedina Arellano Félix
Enedina Arellano Félix is a Mexican businesswoman who is alleged to be one of the leaders of the Tijuana drug cartel . She is the sister of former cartel leaders Ramón Arellano Félix and Eduardo Arellano Félix .-See also:*Mexican Drug War*Illegal drug trade...
are most active in the cartel's affairs.
Benjamín was first arrested on June 18, 1982 in Downey, California for receiving 100 kilos of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
smuggled through the San Ysidro border, however, he escaped custody. The Arellano Félix brothers obtained their first big break in 1989 when they inherited the organization from Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo
Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo
Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo is a convicted Mexican drug lord known as "El Padrino" who in the 1980s formed the Guadalajara Cartel and became the first drug czar in Mexico to control all illegal drug traffic in Mexico and the corridors along the Mexico-U.S.A...
after they showed early promise smuggling consumer electronics over the border. By 1998, the Arellano brothers had been indicted in the U.S. for drug trafficking and his brother Ramón was put on the FBI's 10 most wanted list.
Despite the brothers' audacity, they remained untouchable for 13 years. This was done, in part, with prodigious amounts of cash, bribing politicians and police commanders, at the cost of an estimated $1m USD per week.
Benjamín Arellano tried to clear his name after the 1993 murder of Cardinal Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo, in which he had been implicated. That high-profile assassination brought international attention to his trafficking organization and though, this forced Benjamín to lie low and adopt false names, he continued to live in casual confidence, apparently unafraid of capture. Another of Benjamin's brothers, Francisco, was arrested soon after on drug charges and Benjamín, Ramón and Javier officially became fugitives.
Arrest
The U.S. DEADEA
DEA is the commonly used acronym for the Drug Enforcement Administration, a United States law enforcement agency.DEA or Dea may also refer to:- Organizations :* DEA , UK development education charity...
learned that Benjamín's oldest daughter had a very recognizable and rare facial deformity and that she was the "soft spot" in her father's violent life. By tracing her, they found her father. Benjamin was arrested on March 9, 2002 by the Mexican Army
Mexican Army
The Mexican Army is the combined land and air branch and largest of the Mexican Military services; it also is known as the National Defense Army. It is famous for having been the first army to adopt and use an automatic rifle, , in 1899, and the first to issue automatic weapons as standard issue...
in the state of Puebla
Puebla
Puebla officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 217 municipalities and its capital city is Puebla....
, Mexico. He had a $2 million USD bounty for his arrest. Authorities are not sure where Arellano's money went, beyond some real estate investments in Tijuana. Mexican officials say it has been invested in U.S. real estate, while their U.S. counterparts say much of it is hidden in cash in Mexico. He was extradited to the United States in April 29, 2011 to face charges of trafficking cocaine into California.