Who Is José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa? Age, Biography, and Wiki
José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa, born on June 15, 1980, was a prominent figure in the drug trafficking world until his death in 2020. His life was marked by significant events that led to his rise within the Sinaloa Cartel and his eventual arrest. In 2025, his legacy as a drug trafficker continues to be analyzed by historians and criminologists alike. As of 2025, he would have been 45 years old had he still been alive.
| Occupation | Gangsters |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1980 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Birth Place | Sonora, Mexico |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | Mexico |
| Date of death | 15 May, 2020 |
| Died Place | Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico |
Popularity
José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While official records about José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa's precise body measurements are limited, he was often noted to be of average height and build. Estimations suggest he stood approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 cm) and weighed around 165 pounds (75 kg). His lifestyle, fraught with tension and danger, likely influenced his physical condition over the years.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As a drug trafficker, Aréchiga's personal relationships were cloaked in secrecy. He was known to have had various relationships, but details about a long-term boyfriend or girlfriend remain largely undisclosed. The criminal lifestyle often limited his ability to maintain stable relationships, which were characterized by volatility and secrecy.
On the night of 14 May 2020, Aréchiga Gamboa, his sister, and her husband were in the house when they were visited by a Sinaloa Cartel ‘hit squad’, which resulted in a fierce firefight with Chino firing back with an automatic assault rifle.
This fire lasted until dawn and when they ran out of ammo, then surrendered and were taken hostage by armed men. The next day police in the town of Ayune, Sinaloa, discovered a black SUV with three dead bodies inside - one of the bodies was later identified as José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa.
He was shot dead and wrapped in cloth, his head was covered with a black plastic bag. The other two bodies were identified as his sister and her husband. It was later reported that his murder was likely ordered by senior leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Net Worth and Salary
At the pinnacle of his illegal drug trafficking operations, José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa was believed to have amassed a significant fortune, with estimates of his net worth ranging from $10 million to $30 million. His earnings were derived from drug sales, trafficking operations, and other illicit business ventures. However, following his arrest and subsequent legal troubles, much of his wealth was seized, leaving a legacy of financial ruin.
Career, Business, and Investments
Aréchiga's career in drug trafficking began in the late 1990s. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Sinaloa Cartel, becoming known for his strategic acumen and ruthless decision-making. His involvement included overseeing drug shipments and managing logistics for distribution networks. Despite his criminal activities, he showed a keen interest in business operations, which could have translated into legitimate investments had he chosen a different path.
He was one of the leaders and the founder of Los Ántrax, an armed enforcement group that protected Sinaloa cartel leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and his sons.
He was arrested on December 30 2013 at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands at the request of the United States, which contacted Interpol to arrest him for charges relating to drug trafficking. He was extradited in 2014. After being sentenced to house arrest, he was reported missing on 9 May 2020.
He reappeared in Culiacán, Sinaloa on 15 May 2020 where he was found murdered along with his sister and brother-in-law.
Social Network
Given the nature of his activities, José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa had minimal public engagement on mainstream social media platforms. However, discussions about his life and operations exist across various online forums and news websites, often highlighting his notorious reputation.
His most common alias was Chino Anthrax, but the drug lord was also known as El Comandante Ántrax ("Commander Anthrax"), R-57, El Oriental ("The Oriental"), El Quinto Elemento ("The Fifth Element"), Scarface Renacido ("Reborn Scarface"), among others.
On his Facebook, Twitter (@comandante57_) and Instagram (miauuuu5_7 and jamesbond5_7) accounts, Aréchiga Gamboa uploaded pictures and videos of his ostentatious lifestyle, which included trips to Europe, Las Vegas (where he attended the Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios fight), Japan, and parts of Africa and the Middle East.
In one of his pictures, the drug lord appears alongside Paris Hilton. The drug lord also has pictures with Ismael Zambada Imperial (alias "El Mayito Gordo"), son of "El Mayo" Zambada and a high-ranking enforcer within the cartel.
He also has pictures with Serafín Zambada Ortiz (alias "El Sera"), also son of "El Mayo" Zambada who was arrested by U.S. authorities in November 2013 while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona.
Education
Information regarding Aréchiga's educational background is sparse. Given the socio-economic conditions of his upbringing and the environment he operated in, it is likely that his formal education was limited. He relied more on street smarts and experience in the illicit underworld to navigate his operations.
