Javier Arellano Félix, born on December 11, 1969, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, is one of the notorious members of the Arellano Félix Organization (AFO), also known as the Tijuana Cartel. The AFO, led by several Arellano Félix siblings, became one of Mexico’s most violent and influential drug cartels in the 1990s.
Rise to Power
Javier, nicknamed “El Tigrillo,” played a pivotal role in the cartel’s operations. As younger members of the family, Javier and his brothers initially worked under Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, the “Godfather” of Mexican drug trafficking. After the fragmentation of Félix Gallardo’s empire in 1989, the Arellano Félix family established their own operations, with Javier emerging as a key enforcer and later a leader.
Operations and Notoriety
Under Javier’s leadership, the AFO was responsible for smuggling large quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine into the United States. Javier was also known for orchestrating acts of extreme violence against rival cartels and law enforcement. His ruthlessness contributed to the AFO’s dominance but also drew the attention of Mexican and U.S. authorities.
Downfall and Arrest
In August 2006, Javier was apprehended by the U.S. Coast Guard while aboard a luxury yacht off the coast of Baja California. His arrest marked a turning point in the cartel’s decline. Javier was extradited to the United States, where he pleaded guilty to charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering, receiving a life sentence.
