Kiki Camarena
Miscellaneous

Kiki Camarena Net Worth

Kiki Camarena was a brave and determined undercover agent for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He was born in Mexicali, Mexico and was devoted to eradicating illegal drugs from the United States. His mission ultimately led to his abduction, torture, and death in February 1985. Kiki was determined to expose a multi-billion dollar drug business and was willing to risk his life to make a difference in the fight against drug trafficking. Despite knowing the danger, he was determined to stand up against drug trafficking and make a difference in society. His story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as he was willing to sacrifice his life for a cause he believed in.
Kiki Camarena is a member of Miscellaneous

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Undercover Agent
Birth Day July 26, 1947
Birth Place Mexicali, Mexico, United States
Age 73 YEARS OLD
Died On February 9, 1985(1985-02-09) (aged 37)\nGuadalajara, Mexico.
Birth Sign Leo
Nickname(s) "Kike" (Spanish), "Kiki" (English)
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch U.S. Marine Corps (1973-1975) Drug Enforcement Administration (1975-1985)
Years of service 1973–1975 (U.S. Marine Corps)
Rank Agent (DEA)

💰 Net worth: $600,000 (2024)

Kiki Camarena, famously known as an undercover agent in the United States, is estimated to have a net worth of $600,000 in 2024. As an undercover agent, Camarena dedicated his life to combating drug trafficking, particularly in Mexico, during the 1980s. His tireless efforts and sacrifices made him a respected figure in law enforcement. Unfortunately, Camarena's illustrious career was tragically cut short when he was kidnapped, tortured, and ultimately killed by members of a notorious drug cartel. Despite his untimely death, his legacy lives on as an inspiring symbol of dedication and bravery in the line of duty.

Biography/Timeline

1973

From 1973 to 1975, Camarena served in the United States Marine Corps, after which he joined the DEA, at their Calexico, California, office. In 1977, Camarena moved to the agency's Fresno office, and in 1981, he was assigned to their Guadalajara office in Mexico.

1985

In 1984, acting on information from Camarena, 450 Mexican Soldiers backed by helicopters destroyed a 1,000-hectare (≈2,500 acres) marijuana plantation with an estimated annual production of $8 billion known as "Rancho Búfalo". Camarena, who had been identified as the source of the leak, was abducted in broad daylight on February 7, 1985, by corrupt police officers working for drug lord Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo. Camarena was tortured at Gallardo's ranch over a 30-hour period, then murdered. His skull, jaw, nose, cheekbones and windpipe were crushed, his ribs were broken, and a hole was drilled into his head with a power drill. He had been injected with amphetamines and other drugs, most likely to ensure that he remained conscious while being tortured. Camarena's body was found in a rural area outside the small town of La Angostura, in the state of Michoacán, on March 5, 1985.

1992

Despite vigorous protests from the Mexican government, Álvarez was brought to trial in Los Angeles in 1992. After presentation of the government's case, the judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict, and charges were dropped. Álvarez subsequently initiated a civil suit against the U.S. government, charging that his arrest had breached the U.S.-Mexico extradition treaty. The case eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that Álvarez was not entitled to relief. The four other defendants, Vásquez Velasco, Juan Ramón Matta-Ballesteros, Juan José Bernabé Ramírez, and Rubén Zuno Arce (a brother-in-law of former President Luis Echeverría), were tried and found guilty of Camarena's kidnapping.

2013

In October 2013, two former federal agents and a self-proclaimed ex-CIA contractor told an American television network that CIA operatives were involved in Camarena's kidnapping and murder, because he was a threat to the agency's drug operations in Mexico. According to the three men, the CIA was collaborating with drug traffickers moving cocaine and marijuana to the United States, and using its share of the profits to Finance Nicaraguan Contra rebels attempting to overthrow Nicaragua's Sandinista government. A CIA spokesman responded that “it's ridiculous to suggest that the CIA had anything to do with the murder of a U.S. federal agent or the escape of his killer.”

Some Kiki Camarena images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.