Francisco Rafael Arellano Félix
Encyclopedia
Francisco Rafael Arellano Félix (born 24 October 1949) 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, 1980, in San Diego, California
, United States
, after delivering 205 grams of cocaine
to an undercover DEA
Agent. On December 4, 1993, he was arrested by the Mexican Federal Judicial Police
in Tijuana, Baja California. He was incarcerated at the Almoloya de Juárez Maximum Security Prison near Toluca
, Estado de México, on violations of illegal arms possession, drug charges, and complicity in the murder
of Cardinal Juan Jesús Posadas Ocampo. Arellano Félix finished serving a 10-year sentence in 2004 for stockpiling illegal weapons, but was ordered held pending a final resolution of a U.S. extradition request. In May 2005 Mexican authorities transferred nine inmates, including Arellano Félix, from the Almoloya facility Penal del Altiplano (La Palma)
to other facilities.
On September 16, 2006 it was reported that Arellano Félix was extradited to the United States
, and on June 18, 2007 pled guilty
to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute, cocaine.
On February 2, 2008 Arellano Felix was released from a US prison in the city of El Paso, Texas and crossed to Mexican soil in the border city of Ciudad Juarez.
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 lord
Drug 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...
involved in the Tijuana 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"...
. 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, 1980, in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, after delivering 205 grams 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...
to an undercover DEA
Drug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
Agent. On December 4, 1993, he was arrested by the Mexican Federal Judicial Police
Federal Judicial Police
The Federal Judicial Police was the former federal police force of Mexico.The jurisdiction of the Federal Judicial Police encompasses the entire nation and was divided into thirteen zones with fifty-two smaller detachment headquarters...
in Tijuana, Baja California. He was incarcerated at the Almoloya de Juárez Maximum Security Prison near Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...
, Estado de México, on violations of illegal arms possession, drug charges, and complicity in the murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
of Cardinal Juan Jesús Posadas Ocampo. Arellano Félix finished serving a 10-year sentence in 2004 for stockpiling illegal weapons, but was ordered held pending a final resolution of a U.S. extradition request. In May 2005 Mexican authorities transferred nine inmates, including Arellano Félix, from the Almoloya facility Penal del Altiplano (La Palma)
Penal del Altiplano
The Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 1 "Altiplano" is the maximum security federal prison The Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 1 "Altiplano" is the maximum security federal prison The Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 1 "Altiplano" is the maximum security federal prison...
to other facilities.
On September 16, 2006 it was reported that Arellano Félix was extradited to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and on June 18, 2007 pled guilty
Guilty
Guilty commonly refers to the feeling of guilt, an experience that occurs when a person believes that they have violated a moral standard.Guilty or The Guilty may also refer to:-Law:*Guilty plea, a formal admission of legal culpability...
to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute, cocaine.
On February 2, 2008 Arellano Felix was released from a US prison in the city of El Paso, Texas and crossed to Mexican soil in the border city of Ciudad Juarez.