Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, often called “The Godfather,” was the mastermind behind the Guadalajara Cartel, one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. Born in Sinaloa, Gallardo’s journey from a law enforcement officer to a notorious drug lord is a tale of ambition, corruption, and violence. His story is not just about the rise and fall of a cartel but also about the impact on Mexico’s drug trade and its ongoing consequences.
Key Takeaways
- Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo started his career in law enforcement before turning to a life of crime and forming the Guadalajara Cartel.
- The Guadalajara Cartel rose to power by partnering with Colombian cartels and establishing massive drug operations like the Rancho Búfalo plantation.
- The murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena by the cartel led to intense pressure from the U.S. government, resulting in the eventual downfall of Gallardo and his associates.
- After Gallardo’s arrest, the Guadalajara Cartel fragmented into several new cartels, each controlling different territories and continuing the drug trade.
- Gallardo’s legacy is a mix of ruthless ambition and the long-lasting impact he had on Mexico’s drug trafficking landscape.
The Early Life of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo
Childhood in Sinaloa
Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo was born on January 8, 1946, on a ranch in Sinaloa, Mexico. Growing up in poverty, he experienced a general lack of resources and opportunities. This tough upbringing may have influenced his later choices in life.
Career in Law Enforcement
At the age of 17, Félix Gallardo joined the police force. He started working for the government as a Mexican Federal Judicial Police agent. His department was infamous for being corrupt, which might have pushed him to look for other ways to make money.
Turning to the Narcos
While working as a bodyguard for Sinaloa governor Leopoldo Sánchez Celis, Félix Gallardo met Pedro Áviles Perez, a known drug smuggler. This meeting marked the beginning of his journey into the world of narcotrafficking. Soon, he was recruited into Áviles Perez’s marijuana and heroin enterprise, setting the stage for his future as a drug lord.
Formation of the Guadalajara Cartel
Meeting Pedro Áviles Perez
Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s journey into the world of narcotrafficking began when he met Pedro Áviles Perez. Áviles Perez was a well-known drug lord, and Gallardo quickly became his trusted associate. This relationship was crucial in shaping Gallardo’s future in the drug trade.
Taking Over the Business
After the death of Pedro Áviles Perez in a shootout with the police, Gallardo saw an opportunity. He, along with his partners Rafael Caro Quintero and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo, took over the operations. They moved the base from Sinaloa to Guadalajara, marking the birth of the Guadalajara Cartel. This move was a turning point in the history of Mexican drug trafficking.
Consolidating Power
The Guadalajara Cartel quickly grew in power and influence. They established strong connections with Colombian cartels, which allowed them to control the flow of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. The cartel’s operations expanded across various regions in Mexico, including Jalisco, Baja California, and Sinaloa.
The Guadalajara Cartel was one of the first Mexican drug trafficking groups to work with Colombian cocaine mafias, leading to immense prosperity from the cocaine trade.
The cartel’s success was also due to its ability to corrupt state officials, ensuring protection and smooth operations. This strategic approach helped them dominate the drug trade in Mexico throughout the 1980s.
The Rise of the Guadalajara Cartel
Partnerships with Colombian Cartels
The Guadalajara Cartel, also known as The Federation, was among the first Mexican drug trafficking groups to collaborate with Colombian cocaine mafias. This partnership allowed the cartel to thrive in the cocaine trade. With the help of Honduran Juan Ramón Matta Ballesteros, they established drug trafficking routes that are still used today. These routes involved moving cocaine shipments by air and sea to Central America and Mexico, and then overland to the United States.
The Rancho Búfalo Plantation
One of the cartel’s most significant operations was the Rancho Búfalo plantation. This massive marijuana plantation was a key source of income for the cartel. The plantation was so large that it required a small army to protect it. The profits from this operation were immense, contributing significantly to the cartel’s wealth and power.
Corruption and Protection
The Guadalajara Cartel’s success was also due to its ability to corrupt officials and secure protection. The cartel strategically divided the border with the United States into drug-smuggling "plazas," each controlled by a subdivision of the cartel. These subdivisions paid authorities for protection and cooperation, ensuring the smooth flow of drugs and continuous revenue. This arrangement, known as "pax mafiosa," allowed the cartel to operate with minimal interference from law enforcement.
The cartel’s ability to form alliances and corrupt officials was crucial to its dominance in the drug trade.
The Murder of DEA Agent Kiki Camarena
Infiltration of the Cartel
DEA agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena was making significant progress in exposing the Guadalajara Cartel’s operations and the widespread corruption in Mexico. His undercover work led to the destruction of the cartel’s massive marijuana plantation, Rancho Búfalo, which greatly angered the cartel leaders.
Kidnapping and Murder
On February 7, 1985, Camarena was abducted in broad daylight by cartel members. He was taken to a house where he was brutally tortured for over 30 hours. His skull, jaw, nose, cheekbones, and ribs were broken, and a hole was drilled into his head. Camarena’s body was found a month later, wrapped in plastic, 70 miles outside of Guadalajara. This gruesome murder triggered a massive response from the DEA.
U.S. Government’s Response
The DEA launched Operation Leyenda, the largest investigation in its history, to find those responsible for Camarena’s death. The operation led to the arrest of several cartel members, including Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo. The murder of Camarena marked a turning point in the drug wars, leading to increased efforts by the U.S. government to combat drug trafficking.
The Downfall of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo
Arrest and Imprisonment
In 1989, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s political connections could no longer protect him. Mexican authorities arrested him at his home while he was still in his bathrobe. His arrest marked the beginning of the end for the Guadalajara Cartel. Gallardo, who was worth over $500 million at the time, was sentenced to 37 years in prison. Despite his imprisonment, he initially managed to continue running his operations from behind bars. However, his influence waned as he was moved to a maximum-security facility.
Impact on the Guadalajara Cartel
Gallardo’s arrest exposed the deep corruption within Mexico’s police force. In the days following his capture, around 90 policemen deserted, and several commanders were arrested. The cartel, once a unified and powerful entity, began to crumble. Other cartel leaders started to encroach on his territory, leading to violent power struggles. The downfall of Félix Gallardo was a significant factor in the violent cartel wars that followed.
Legacy and Influence
Even from prison, Gallardo’s legacy continued to shape the drug trade. His associates, like Rafael Caro Quintero and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo, also faced legal troubles, but some managed to leave prison under various circumstances. Gallardo himself was moved to a medium-security prison but was denied house arrest despite his declining health. His story, including his denial of involvement in the murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena, continues to inspire TV shows, films, and books. Gallardo’s downfall highlighted the brutal murder of Camarena, which brought the full wrath of the DEA down on the Guadalajara Cartel.
The Fragmentation of the Guadalajara Cartel
Division of Territories
After the arrest of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, the Guadalajara Cartel began to split into smaller factions. This marked the beginning of the Mexican drug war. Gallardo decided to divide the territories among trusted lieutenants to maintain control and reduce the risk of a single law enforcement action taking down the entire operation. The Tijuana route was given to his nephews, the Arellano Félix brothers, while the Ciudad Juárez route went to the Carrillo Fuentes family. Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán and Ismael Zambada García took over the Pacific coast operations, forming what would become the Sinaloa Cartel.
Emergence of New Cartels
The fragmentation led to the creation of several new cartels, each controlling different regions and drug routes. The Tijuana Cartel, Juárez Cartel, and Sinaloa Cartel were among the most prominent. These new organizations quickly became powerful and started to compete with each other for dominance. This competition often resulted in violent conflicts, further destabilizing the region.
Long-term Effects on Mexico’s Drug Trade
The breakup of the Guadalajara Cartel had long-lasting effects on Mexico’s drug trade. The new cartels that emerged continued to grow in power and influence, leading to increased violence and corruption. The decentralization of drug trafficking operations made it more difficult for law enforcement to combat the drug trade effectively. The legacy of the Guadalajara Cartel’s fragmentation is still felt today, as Mexico continues to struggle with drug-related violence and crime.
The disintegration of the Guadalajara Cartel into smaller factions marked a significant turning point in Mexico’s drug trade, leading to the rise of new, powerful cartels and an era of increased violence and instability.
Conclusion
Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, often called "The Godfather" of the Guadalajara Cartel, left a lasting mark on the world of narcotrafficking. His rise from a poor childhood to becoming one of the most powerful drug lords in history is a tale of ambition, cunning, and ruthless determination. Gallardo’s ability to unite various drug operations under one umbrella changed the landscape of the drug trade forever. However, his empire’s success came at a high cost, leading to violence, corruption, and the tragic murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena. Gallardo’s eventual capture and the subsequent fragmentation of his cartel marked the end of an era but also set the stage for the violent drug wars that continue to plague Mexico. His story serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of the drug trade and the complex interplay of power, crime, and law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo?
Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, also known as “El Padrino” or “The Godfather,” is a former Mexican drug lord who founded the Guadalajara Cartel. He played a key role in shaping Mexico’s drug trafficking industry.
What was the Guadalajara Cartel?
The Guadalajara Cartel was a powerful drug trafficking organization in Mexico during the 1980s. It was founded by Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, Rafael Caro Quintero, and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo.
How did Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo start his criminal career?
Gallardo began his career in law enforcement but later turned to drug trafficking. He initially worked with Pedro Áviles Perez, a known drug smuggler, before taking over the business after Áviles’ death.
What led to the downfall of the Guadalajara Cartel?
The cartel’s downfall began with the murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena, which led to intense pressure from the U.S. government on Mexico. This resulted in the arrest of several cartel leaders, including Gallardo.
What happened to Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo after his arrest?
After his arrest in 1989, Gallardo was sentenced to 37 years in prison. He continued to influence the drug trade from behind bars for a while but eventually lost control as other cartels rose to power.
How did the fragmentation of the Guadalajara Cartel affect Mexico’s drug trade?
The breakup of the Guadalajara Cartel led to the emergence of new, smaller cartels. These groups often fought for control, leading to increased violence and instability in Mexico’s drug trade.