Yuriana Castillo Torres, a name that resonates with notoriety and intrigue in the world of Mexican organized crime. Born on November 3, 1986, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, she was far from an ordinary figure. Instead, she rose to infamy as a high-ranking member of the Los Zetas cartel, a criminal organization known for its ruthlessness and power.
As a woman navigating the treacherous waters of the criminal underworld, Yuriana Castillo Torres stood out for her involvement in a wide range of illegal activities. Her portfolio included drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and acts of violence. Within the Los Zetas cartel, she was a force to be reckoned with, gaining recognition for her strategic acumen and her willingness to employ ruthless tactics.
One of the focal points of Yuriana Castillo Torres’ criminal endeavors was drug trafficking, particularly in cocaine and marijuana. Her influence spanned the Mexico-United States border, where she masterminded a sprawling network of illicit operations. This involvement in the drug trade brought her substantial wealth and solidified her position of power within the cartel.
However, her story took a dark turn that would ultimately lead to her tragic demise. Yuriana Castillo Torres was romantically linked to El Chino Ántrax, a prominent figure in the world of organized crime. It was this connection that would eventually lead to her abduction and murder.
On that fateful day, May 6, 2014, Yuriana Castillo Torres was leaving a gym in Culiacán, Sinaloa, when armed individuals forcefully seized her. Witnesses at the scene recounted a harrowing scene in which she was dragged into a truck, leaving behind only one of her purple sports shoes as a chilling reminder of the abduction.
Yuriana Castillo Torres’ ties ran deep within the world of crime. She had familial connections to two influential figures in the Sinaloa cartel: Javier Torres, also known as El JT, and Manuel Torres, also known as El Ondeado. These affiliations added an extra layer of complexity to her already intricate life.
In the aftermath of her abduction, disturbing details emerged. Witnesses reported that a truck reversed down a boulevard in the Guadalupe neighborhood, eventually coming to a halt in front of an empty lot. Two men were seen disposing of a bundle wrapped in white sheets, initially mistaken for litter by onlookers. Little did they know the true nature of this ominous package.
Yuriana Castillo Torres, a prominent figure in the “buchona show business,” met a tragic end. Her life was brutally taken from her, and her lifeless body was discovered in a vacant lot in the Lomas de Guadalupe neighborhood in Culiacán. Autopsy reports painted a grim picture, revealing signs of suffocation due to hanging and various head injuries. Her assailants had bound her hands and legs with an electric cable.
No trace of firearm-related evidence was found at the scene, leaving behind a haunting mystery of her final moments. During her funeral, members of Los Ántrax, the armed wing of the Sinaloa cartel, allegedly paid their respects by leaving a floral tribute in her honor.
It’s worth noting that Yuriana Castillo Torres was romantically involved with Rodrigo Aréchiga, a prominent figure in the Sinaloa cartel. He held a high-ranking position as one of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada’s trusted associates and was responsible for leading Los Ántrax, a formidable armed faction within the cartel.
The life and death of Yuriana Castillo Torres serve as a chilling testament to the complexities and tragedies that often accompany the world of organized crime in Mexico, leaving a trail of questions and shadows in its wake.
The capture and ultimate fate of José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa, widely known as El Chino Ántrax, are tales that highlight the intricate web of criminal pursuits, law enforcement efforts, and the perilous world of organized crime.
As of 2012, internal strife and conflicts between various cartel factions were escalating, resulting in a rising toll of casualties among cartel members, including hitmen. El Chino Ántrax, already on the radar of U.S. authorities, had drawn significant attention to himself. To safeguard his safety, it became imperative to remove him from the turbulent scene.
On January 3, 2014, the Netherlands Ministry of Security and Justice and the Mexican Embassy confirmed the apprehension of a 33-year-old Mexican national at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. This arrest occurred on December 30, 2013, as he entered the Netherlands from Latin America, employing a false identity. Initially, the authorities kept the detainee’s identity confidential, but anonymous sources, including a U.S. federal agent and Mexican local newspapers, divulged information confirming that the man in custody was indeed José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa.
The U.S. government officially verified the arrest of the drug lord later that same day. Aréchiga Gamboa was taken into custody under the alias of Norberto Sicairos García. Upon his arrest, he was found in possession of an iPhone 5, a Blackberry Bold, three airplane tickets, credit cards from Banamex (Visa and MasterCard), and a Mexican driver’s license.
Following his arrest, Aréchiga Gamboa was transferred to the Vught maximum-security prison. Despite his use of a false identity, attempts to alter his appearance through plastic surgery, and modifications to his fingerprints, U.S. law enforcement successfully identified him through undisclosed forensic techniques.
Subsequently, Yuriana Castillo Torres’ partner, Aréchiga Gamboa, was extradited to the United States, where he faced charges related to cocaine and marijuana trafficking. On March 20, 2015, he entered a guilty plea, acknowledging his involvement in drug transportation from Mexico to the U.S. and his facilitation of violent activities on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel.
After serving six years in U.S. custody, José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa was sentenced to seven years and three months in a federal prison. He was released on March 3, 2020, and placed under house arrest. However, on May 9 of the same year, his probation officer reported him as missing.
The story takes a tragic turn as we delve into the events of May 2020. During the night of May 14, Aréchiga Gamboa, his sister, and her husband found themselves confronted by a hit squad linked to the Sinaloa Cartel at their residence. A fierce and protracted gunfight ensued, with Aréchiga Gamboa fiercely defending himself using an automatic assault rifle. The exchange of gunfire raged on until dawn, exhausting their ammunition supply. Ultimately, they surrendered and were taken hostage by the armed assailants.
The following day, police in Ayune, Sinaloa, made a grim discovery—a black SUV containing three lifeless individuals. Among the deceased was José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa, who had suffered gunshot wounds and was wrapped in cloth, with his head shrouded in a black plastic bag. The other two bodies were identified as his sister and her husband. It was later reported that senior figures within the Sinaloa Cartel were likely responsible for ordering the execution of Aréchiga Gamboa, marking the tragic end of a complex and perilous journey through the world of organized crime.
