Who is ‘El Sillas’, the Arellano Felix Drug Lord Who Kidnapped Three of ‘El Mayo’ Zambada’s Relatives in 2010?

In 2010, a member of the Arellano Félix Cartel ordered something that few involved in drug trafficking would have dared to do.

On September 25 of that year, three relatives of Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, were allegedly abducted upon arrival at the Tijuana International Airport in Baja California.

Although it was revealed that the three women, immediate family members of the notorious cartel, were held captive for a short time before members of the Mexican Army freed them, the incident became one of the most notorious episodes in drug trafficking.

It was even reported by federal authorities a little over a year after it occurred, following the arrest of the alleged perpetrator. He was Juan Francisco Sillas Rocha, alias ‘El Sillas,’ one of the most violent lieutenants who formed part of the Arellano Félix Cartel.

​​’El Sillas’ and His Revenge

According to reports, Sillas Rocha was born between 1977 and 1978 in Culiacán, Sinaloa.

Although how he entered the criminal world and other significant details about his criminal career are unknown, it is believed that he ordered the kidnapping of Zambada García’s sister and niece as revenge for the disappearance of his own sister.

Federal government data indicates that Lizeth Sillas Rocha’s kidnapping occurred on July 30, 2010, in Nogales, Sonora. As alleged retaliation for the kidnapping, he allegedly planned to kidnap women close to the then leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Although the release of the three women was possible thanks to the intervention of authorities, news reports indicate that ‘El Sillas’ didn’t plan to kill them.

The Arrest

Sillas Rocha, also identified as ‘El Rueda’, was arrested on November 5, 2011 in Tijuana, the city where he operated for Fernando Sanchez Arellano, alias ‘El Ingeniero’, then the main leader of the Arellano Felix family.

On the day of his capture, the Mexican government described him as “one of the most violent subjects, responsible for countless murders”.

He was also said to be responsible for maintaining an intense struggle with Teodoro García Simental, ‘El Teo’, with whom he disputed territorial control of Tijuana.

After his arrest, ‘El Sillas’ remained under the protection of the Mexican prison system. Finally, on September 8, 2022, after 11 years of legal struggle, he was extradited to the United States.

US Charges Against ‘El Sillas’

While his criminal career was escalating in Mexico, US authorities began to follow his lead.

Thus, on March 31, 2011, Sillas Rocha was formally indicted by a grand jury in North Dakota on three counts:

Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Participating in a continuing criminal enterprise.

Conspiracy to commit murder in furtherance of the continuing criminal enterprise.

Like other drug traffickers, ‘El Sillas’ was quick to speak out after arriving in the US. Thus, on July 13, 2023, he decided to plead guilty to two charges against him.

Reports from US authorities indicate that Sillas Rocha was a distributor for the Arellano Félix Cartel, under the direct supervision of Arturo Villareal Heredia.

After the fall of the founders of the Tijuana Cartel, he became one of the criminal organization’s most powerful lieutenants, “controlling cells responsible for drug trafficking, armed conflicts with rival cartels, kidnappings, and numerous murders.”

According to a US document, he acknowledged that he continued to operate even after his capture.

Sources: Milenio