Arellano is believed to be one of the most sophisticated brothers and had taken control of the cartel. He was wanted by Mexican and United States authorities in connection with the smuggling of several tons of marijuana and cocaine from Mexico into the U.S. each year. He and his sister Enedina Arellano Félix became the leaders of the drug cartel after their brother Javier Arellano Félix was arrested by U.S. authorities in Baja California on August 16, 2006. His brother Ramón Arellano Félix, believed to be the most ruthless member, was eventually killed in a Mazatlán shootout with the Federal Police in February 2002. His other brother Benjamín Arellano Félix, "the mastermind", was arrested in March 2002.