The Tijuana Cartel, also known as the Arellano Félix Organization (AFO), was one of the most powerful and violent drug cartels in Mexico, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. Founded by the Arellano Félix brothers, the cartel grew to be one of the key players in Mexico’s drug trade. At the height of its power, the cartel controlled a significant portion of the smuggling routes along the U.S.-Mexico border, especially through the city of Tijuana, providing direct access to the lucrative drug markets in California.
Founding and Leadership
The Tijuana Cartel was established by brothers Benjamín Arellano Félix, Ramón, Francisco Javier, Eduardo, and Carlos Arellano Félix, who were born in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Their rise to power began after the breakup of the Guadalajara Cartel, one of the dominant cartels in the 1980s. Following the arrest of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, the leader of the Guadalajara Cartel, the brothers seized the opportunity to control the Tijuana area.
Benjamín Arellano Félix became the leader and financial strategist of the cartel, while Ramón Arellano Félix managed the cartel’s protection and violent operations. Together, they built the organization into one of the most feared criminal enterprises in Mexico, known for their strategic use of violence to eliminate rivals and secure their smuggling routes.
Operations and Activities
The Tijuana Cartel primarily focused on smuggling cocaine and marijuana into the United States, later expanding into methamphetamine production. The cartel formed strong connections with Colombian drug suppliers and was responsible for smuggling thousands of tons of drugs through its routes, particularly via Tijuana, giving direct access to U.S. markets, especially in California.
The Arellano Félix brothers not only refined their smuggling operations but also developed a highly structured network responsible for drug production, transportation, distribution, and laundering the cartel’s massive profits. They also built a broad corruption network, bribing Mexican officials to ensure smooth operations and avoid interference.
Violent Tactics and Rival Cartels
The Arellano Félix brothers were infamous for their ruthless use of violence to maintain power. They employed intimidation, torture, kidnappings, and murder to suppress rivals and protect their territory. Their main rivals were the Sinaloa Cartel, led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, leading to bloody clashes between the two organizations. The rivalry between the Tijuana and Sinaloa cartels fueled the violence that gripped Mexico in the 1990s.
One of the most infamous incidents involving the Tijuana Cartel was the murder of Cardinal Juan Jesús Posadas Ocampo in 1993 at the Guadalajara airport. While the intended target was believed to be El Chapo Guzmán, the killing of a high-ranking clergyman sparked public outrage and brought greater attention to the cartel’s activities.
Decline and Arrests
The Tijuana Cartel’s decline began in the early 2000s, driven by both internal conflicts and increasing pressure from Mexican and U.S. authorities. In 2002, Ramón Arellano Félix was killed during a shootout with police in Mazatlán, delivering a heavy blow to the organization. Shortly after, Benjamín Arellano Félix was arrested by the Mexican military in Puebla. These events created a power vacuum within the cartel, leaving it vulnerable to attacks from rival groups, especially the Sinaloa Cartel.
In 2006, Francisco Javier Arellano Félix was arrested by the U.S. Coast Guard while fishing off the coast of Baja California. His capture, along with the imprisonment of other leaders, marked the beginning of the end for the once-powerful Tijuana Cartel.
Fragmentation and Legacy
Following the arrest of its key leaders, the Tijuana Cartel fragmented. Several factions continued to operate independently, while others were absorbed into rival cartels. Although some groups tried to resurrect the cartel, their power and influence never returned to the levels of their heyday.
Despite its decline, the Tijuana Cartel left a lasting impact on the Mexican drug trade. Its violent tactics and control over critical smuggling routes set the stage for the extreme violence that would continue to define Mexico’s drug wars. While Tijuana remains a major hub for drug trafficking, the cartel that once dominated the city has largely crumbled.
The legacy of the Arellano Félix brothers endures, symbolizing one of the most emblematic stories in the history of Mexican organized crime. Their story serves as a reminder of the devastating toll that drug trafficking has had on Mexico and the United States.
