Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo, also known as Don Neto, is a pivotal figure in the history of Mexican drug cartels and one of the original leaders of the notorious Guadalajara Cartel. Born on August 1, 1930, in Badiraguato, Sinaloa, Fonseca Carrillo played a key role in shaping the drug trade in Mexico during the 1970s and 1980s, alongside other infamous figures such as Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo and Rafael Caro Quintero.
The Rise of the Guadalajara Cartel
In the 1970s, Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo became involved in the burgeoning drug trade, initially working as a marijuana and opium poppy farmer. He eventually formed alliances with other traffickers, which led to the creation of the Guadalajara Cartel, one of the first major Mexican cartels to dominate the trafficking routes into the United States. The Guadalajara Cartel worked closely with Colombian drug traffickers, serving as middlemen to transport cocaine into the U.S. in exchange for a share of the profits.
Fonseca Carrillo was known for his brutality but also for his organizational skills, which helped the cartel grow into a well-structured, powerful entity. His involvement in cultivating and distributing drugs, along with his business acumen, earned him a top leadership role within the organization.
Involvement in the Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Murder
One of the most significant and controversial events involving Don Neto was the kidnapping, torture, and murder of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a U.S. DEA agent, in 1985. Camarena was investigating the Guadalajara Cartel’s operations and had uncovered key information about the group’s large-scale marijuana plantations and drug routes.
Fearing exposure, Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo, along with his associates Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo and Rafael Caro Quintero, were implicated in the plan to silence Camarena. Camarena’s capture, torture, and eventual death marked a turning point in U.S.-Mexico relations regarding drug enforcement. The incident led to one of the largest manhunts in both countries, culminating in the arrests of several cartel leaders.
Arrest and Imprisonment
Following the murder of Camarena, Mexican authorities arrested Don Neto in 1985. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his involvement in the crime, along with drug trafficking charges. His arrest, along with those of other key members, led to the dissolution of the Guadalajara Cartel, but not before it fragmented into smaller cartels that continue to operate today, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Tijuana Cartel.
Recent Developments
In 2016, after serving more than three decades of his sentence, Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo was transferred to house arrest due to his advanced age and deteriorating health. He remains a controversial figure, as his legacy and influence still resonate in the ongoing struggles against drug cartels in Mexico. Although his direct involvement in the drug trade ended with his imprisonment, the structure and methods he helped establish continue to be used by modern-day cartels.
Legacy
The story of Don Neto is central to the understanding of how Mexican drug cartels evolved into the powerful entities they are today. As one of the architects of the Mexican drug trade, Fonseca Carrillo’s rise and fall have left a lasting impact on the country’s battle against organized crime. His participation in one of the most infamous cartel-related murders in history has also made him a symbol of the violent and ruthless nature of the drug trade during its formative years.
