Tijuana Cartel's bloody legacy at the U.S. border

At the heart of the Mexican-American border, a criminal empire, the Tijuana [Internal Link Placeholder], has written its [Internal Link Placeholder] history over four decades. Officially known as the Arellano Félix Organization (AFO), this notorious cartel has been a central player in the transcontinental drug trade, shaping both the regional security situation in [Internal Link Placeholder] and the United States, as well as the dynamics of the global trade in illicit substances. From its modest beginnings in 1980s Tijuana to today's complex network of underground activities, the cartel's history forms a dark thread in Mexico's fight against organized crime.

From El Padrino to Arellano Félix brothers' dominance

The [Internal Link Placeholder] roots trace back to the notorious [Internal Link Placeholder] Miguel Angel Félix Gallardo, known as "El Padrino" or "The Godfather of Drug Traffickers," who established the Guadalajara Cartel in the 1980s. After his imprisonment in 1989, his nephews, the Arellano Félix brothers, took control of the northwestern part of his empire. This marked the birth of the Tijuana Cartel. The seven brothers and four sisters of the Arellano Félix family created a brutally efficient [Internal Link Placeholder] model that combined drug trafficking with systematic [Internal Link Placeholder] and ruthless [Internal Link Placeholder]. In its formative years, the cartel established its headquarters in Tijuana, strategically located on the busy border with San Diego, [Internal Link Placeholder], allowing it to exploit the enormous traffic of both legal and illegal goods. According to estimates, the Tijuana Cartel, at its peak, accounted for 40% of all cocaine distributed in the United States. This was achieved through a combination of innovative smuggling methods and the brutal elimination of competitors.

Benjamin and Ramón's terror: 1990s massacres, tunnels

Brothers Benjamin and Ramón Arellano Félix became the [Internal Link Placeholder] driving forces in the 1990s. While Benjamin served as the strategic leader, Ramón gained a reputation as the cartel's "muscle," with a penchant for theatrical executions and gruesome [Internal Link Placeholder]. Their dominance was cemented through a series of brutal power demonstrations, including the [Internal Link Placeholder] shootout and subsequent [Internal Link Placeholder] at the Guadalajara Lido Nightclub in 1992, where three journalists and several innocent civilians were killed. The cartel's [Internal Link Placeholder] model was distinguished by its vertical integration, controlling the entire supply chain from drug production to distribution. This control was maintained through an extensive network of [Internal Link Placeholder], involving paid informants in both Mexican police forces and U.S. border patrols. One of their most notorious innovations was advanced smuggling tunnels under the Mexican-American border. In 2006, authorities uncovered a series of sophisticated tunnels equipped with lights, ventilation, and rails, enabling the transit of tons of [Internal Link Placeholder] weekly.

Power vacuum 2002: Ramon's death, Benjamin falls, Teo splits

The turn of the millennium marked the beginning of the Tijuana [Internal Link Placeholder] decline. The death of Ramón Arellano Félix in 2002 during a shootout with police and Benjamin's arrest the same year created a power vacuum. The ensuing power struggle between Eduardo "El [Internal Link Placeholder]" Arellano Félix and Fernando Sánchez Arellano ("El Ingeniero") fractured the organization, leading to internal [Internal Link Placeholder] and rival factions. Eduardo Arellano Félix, the medically [Internal Link Placeholder] brother, attempted to consolidate power through financial expertise. His ability to launder enormous sums of [Internal Link Placeholder] through front [Internal Link Placeholder] like currency exchanges and nightclubs made him a central figure. His arrest in 2008 after a lengthy manhunt marked a turning point. The battle for control further intensified with Teodoro García Simental's ("El Teo") defection in 2009. He established his own faction in alliance with rivals from the Sinaloa Cartel, triggering a wave of extreme [Internal Link Placeholder] in the Baja [Internal Link Placeholder] region. García Simental's notorious use of chemical solvents to dispose of victims underscored the escalated brutality of the cartel war.

Enedina: First female leader, power shift to extortion

After the fall or imprisonment of the male leaders, Enedina Arellano Félix emerged as the unofficial leader, making her the first woman known to have headed a major Mexican [Internal Link Placeholder]. Her [Internal Link Placeholder] style was distinguished by a greater focus on discretion and financial [Internal Link Placeholder] rather than overt [Internal Link Placeholder]. Under her guidance, the organization rebuilt itself through strategic alliances with smaller criminal groups and a diversification of income sources, including profitable [Internal Link Placeholder] and systematic [Internal Link Placeholder]. This strategic shift is reflected in Baja [Internal Link Placeholder] crime statistics. A 2022 study revealed that over 47 criminal groups, a form of widespread gang activity, operate in the region, many with ties to the Tijuana Cartel's network. Extortion of small and medium-sized [Internal Link Placeholder] has become a central source of income for these groups.

Survival: Fentanyl, Otay Mesa Tunnel, crypto laundering

The [Internal Link Placeholder] ability to adapt has been crucial to its survival. Following the legalization of cannabis in [Internal Link Placeholder] in 2019, the focus shifted towards synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. This transition required new distribution methods, including the use of commercial cargo ships and extensive [Internal Link Placeholder] among customs officials. One of their most ambitious smuggling operations was uncovered in 2022, when a 300-meter-long tunnel equipped with railway tracks and electric lighting was found beneath the Otay Mesa border crossing. This tunnel, capable of [Internal Link Placeholder] several tons of [Internal Link Placeholder] per hour, underscores the cartel's persistent ability to bypass traditional border controls. The transportation of illicit [Internal Link Placeholder] has undergone similar innovative changes. With [Internal Link Placeholder] platforms and online [Internal Link Placeholder] services, [Internal Link Placeholder] methods have become more sophisticated. A revealing indictment against a currency exchange owner in Tijuana exposed an operation that laundered over $13 million on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Tijuana as battlefield: Murders, kidnappings, destruction

Tijuana has been severely impacted by the [Internal Link Placeholder] activities and constant [Internal Link Placeholder]. The city consistently records some of the world's highest [Internal Link Placeholder] rates, with 2023 figures approaching 2,100 homicides. This violence is not limited to criminal elements; a 2021 investigation uncovered a kidnapping ring that killed six [Internal Link Placeholder], including U.S. citizens, despite [Internal Link Placeholder] being paid. The social impact extends far beyond direct violence. Local [Internal Link Placeholder] pay "protection [Internal Link Placeholder]," often amounting to up to 30% of their revenue. This form of [Internal Link Placeholder], known as 'cobro de piso,' has led to the massive closure of small businesses, particularly in eastern Tijuana, and accelerated an exodus of the middle class to safer areas.

Transnational hunt: USA's "Project Python" vs. corruption

The transnational nature of the Tijuana [Internal Link Placeholder] activities has necessitated expanded international cooperation. The U.S. "Project Python" initiative, targeting the cartel's financial networks, has resulted in hundreds of arrests and asset seizures exceeding $500 million. Nevertheless, combating the cartel's activities remains an enormous challenge, partly due to deep-rooted [Internal Link Placeholder] within local and federal authorities in [Internal Link Placeholder]. [Internal Link Placeholder] of cartel members have revealed a complex international network. In 2021, Eduardo Arellano Félix was released from U.S. prison but [Internal Link Placeholder] rearrested by Mexican authorities – an episode that underscores the legal complexities of transnational drug trafficking.

Cartel today: Fragmentation, new alliances, resistance

The Tijuana [Internal Link Placeholder] today exists as a more fragmented entity, often operating through various subgroups. Alliances with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Beltrán-Leyva Organization have given it new strength but also exposed it to new, [Internal Link Placeholder] conflicts. The ongoing and brutal conflict with the Sinaloa Cartel for control of the Tijuana "plaza" – a key drug trafficking corridor – has led to a significant increase in [Internal Link Placeholder] and intense [Internal Link Placeholder], with over 1,800 [Internal Link Placeholder] recorded in the city in 2024 alone. Resistance from civilian organizations has grown, especially after the murder of activist María Elena Ortiz in 2023. Her work documenting the cartel's human rights [Internal Link Placeholder] made her a symbol of resistance, but also a target for reprisals. This civilian resistance, combined with increased [Internal Link Placeholder] presence, is pressuring the cartel to reconsider its [Internal Link Placeholder] model.

Tijuana Cartel's legacy: Crime evolution and future fight

The Tijuana [Internal Link Placeholder] history serves as a case study in the evolution of organized crime in a globalized economy. From its origins as a family-based drug ring to today's decentralized, transnational network, it reflects both the complexity of Mexican-American relations and the shifting dynamics of illicit cross-border trade. While the cartel's power is significantly diminished compared to its heyday, its legacy continues to shape security and economic realities on both sides of the international border. The future fight against such criminal organizations will require not only [Internal Link Placeholder] solutions but also profound social and economic reforms that address the root causes of organized crime and the [Internal Link Placeholder] that accompanies it.

Sources:

• cbsnews.com
• occrp.org
• pbs.org
• time.com
• dea.gov

Want to delve into more cases of international drug trafficking and the cartels' brutal methods? Follow KrimiNyt and learn more about the dark side of organized crime.