Arturo Beltran Leyva

Nationality: Mexican
Nickname: El Barbas
Cartel Affiliation: Sinaloa Cartel & Beltran Leyva

The Beltran-Leyva cartel was founded by five brothers: Marcos Arturo, Carlos, Mario Alberto, Alfredo, and Hector. All of which were previously affiliated with the Sinaloa cartel until one of the brothers, Alfredo, was arrested.

Arturo and his brothers had worked as under bosses and security chiefs for the cartel leaders. Artuto Beltran Leyva along with his brothers sought out for revenge against, Joaquín "Chapo" Guzmán, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel and their former boss. The brothers felt he was to blame for their brothers arrest. They left the Sinaloa cartel and joined alliances with the Gulf Cartel and the Los Zetas.

The Beltran-Leyva Cartel was responsible for cocaine, heroin, methamphimines, and marijuana production, transporting and wholesaling. Included among their many talents were human smuggling, money laundering, contract killing, extortion, kidnapping, murder, toture and gun-running. They were linked to many killings of law enforcement officals. 

Arturo had numerous nicknames; El Fantasma, El Barbas, El Marcos, El Jefe de Jefes, El Botas Blancas, El Elegante, and La Muerte.

On December 11, 2009, Arturo managed to escape from Christmas party. Many casualties were suffered.

Another attempt was made one week later to capture Arturo. During this attempt on December 19, 2009 Arturo Beltran Leyva was killed along with three gunman. One gunman committed suicide. $ 40,000 US dollars, several thousand Canadian dollars, assault rifles and religious parafanelia was seized at the location.