Born in Mexico · Nationality Mexican — Crime / mafias / terrorism / criminal cases

Teodoro García Simental

Documented profile covering 11 controversies, including “Amparo litigation over detention conditions, torture allegations and unratified applications” and “Federal sentence of 20 years' imprisonment for organised crime”.

Are you concerned? Right of reply

Profile No. 2604 · Updated on 12 October 2026

11Documented controversies

10Sources

1 followed by a conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2025-2026

Amparo litigation over detention conditions, torture allegations and unratified applications

Civil / administrative proceedings

From Altiplano prison, García Simental initiated several amparo proceedings concerning his liberty, an alleged extradition, mistreatment, torture and lack of medical care. In 2025, he withdrew an application; in July 2026, another challenge was dismissed for failure to ratify it following a provisional suspension.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 2

[1]
La JornadaSe desiste 'El Teo' de continuar con amparo; suspenden juicioPressHigh reliability
[2]
La JornadaNiegan a El Teo amparo por tortura; fue miembro del cártel de TijuanaPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

Case · 7 documented stages

Federal sentence of 20 years' imprisonment for organised crime

Conviction

June 2025

Federal sentence of 20 years' imprisonment for organised crime

Conviction

The FGR secured a 20-year prison sentence against García Simental for criminal responsibility for organised crime. The judgment was based on his membership of a criminal organisation active in drug trafficking and kidnapping, particularly in Baja California.

Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
La JornadaObtiene FGR condena de 20 años de prisión contra 'El Teo', relacionado con los Arellano FélixPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

2010-2024

Multiple criminal proceedings for organised crime, homicide, attempted murder and drug offences

Conviction

In July 2010, a further formal detention order was added to proceedings already brought against García Simental, including organised crime, homicide, attempted murder and drug-related offences. The case remained legally active for many years.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Accused

Sources · 1

[1]
La JornadaDictan formal prisión a García Simental, quien fuera jefe de El Pozolero en BCPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

2008-2010

2008 split and factional war against Fernando Sánchez Arellano for Tijuana

Conviction

From 2008, García Simental entered into conflict with Fernando Sánchez Arellano over control of criminal activities in Tijuana. The Mexican government linked the split to numerous extremely violent clashes between the two factions.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Secretaría de Gobernación — Gobierno de MéxicoMonte Alejandro Rubido García, Comisionado Nacional de Seguridad, y Tomás Zerón De Lucio, Director en Jefe de la AIC de la PGROfficial statementVery high reliability
[2]
Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional — Gobierno de MéxicoPersonal militar de las Secretarías de la Defensa Nacional y Marina, detuvieron a José Filiberto Parra RamosOfficial statementVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

2008-2010

Alliance with Sinaloa cartel / Ismael Zambada organisation following split from Arellano Félix

Conviction

Following the split with Arellano Félix, García Simental's faction was described by authorities as aligned with the Pacific/Sinaloa cartel, particularly Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada's organisation, to contest control of the Tijuana plaza.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional — Gobierno de MéxicoPersonal militar de las Secretarías de la Defensa Nacional y Marina, detuvieron a José Filiberto Parra RamosOfficial statementVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

12-18 January 2010

Capture in La Paz, transfer to Altiplano and initial charges

Formally charged

García Simental was arrested in La Paz, Baja California Sur, after a long manhunt, while subject to several warrants and a substantial reward. Transferred to Altiplano prison, he was formally detained on organised crime and drug-related charges.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
La JornadaCapturan a El Teo en el municipio de La PazPressHigh reliability
[2]
La JornadaDicta juez formal prisión a El TeoPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

2008-2009

Criminal network involving kidnapping, murders, arms and drug trafficking under his lieutenants

Conviction

Military operations in 2009 described lieutenants and cells working directly for García Simental as members of an organisation involved in kidnapping, murder, arms trafficking and drug trafficking in Baja California and towards US border cities.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 2

[1]
Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional — Gobierno de MéxicoPersonal militar del 2/o. regimiento de caballería motorizado, libera a una persona y detiene a cuatro secuestradoresOfficial statementVery high reliability
[2]
Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional — Gobierno de MéxicoPersonal militar de las Secretarías de la Defensa Nacional y Marina, detuvieron a José Filiberto Parra RamosOfficial statementVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

avant 2008

Rise from sicario to lieutenant in Arellano Félix organisation

Conviction

Mexican authorities described García Simental as having started in the Arellano Félix organisation, rising to head of its sicarios and then lieutenant. Cells under his authority were involved in drug trafficking, street-level drug dealing, kidnapping and extortion.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
La JornadaObtiene FGR condena de 20 años de prisión contra 'El Teo', relacionado con los Arellano FélixPressHigh reliability
[2]
Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional — Gobierno de MéxicoPersonal militar de las Secretarías de la Defensa Nacional y Marina, detuvieron a José Filiberto Parra RamosOfficial statementVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

2008-2010

Authorities attribute more than 300 executions and use of Santiago Meza Flores, “El Pozolero”

Investigation

Mexican authorities described García Simental as the person behind more than 300 executions; the bodies of numerous victims were allegedly dissolved in caustic soda by Santiago Meza Flores, nicknamed “El Pozolero”, acting for his group.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Command responsibility

Sources · 2

[1]
La JornadaCapturan a El Teo en el municipio de La PazPressHigh reliability
[2]
La JornadaObtiene FGR condena de 20 años de prisión contra 'El Teo', relacionado con los Arellano FélixPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

2009

Production and trafficking of crystal methamphetamine by a cell in his organisation

No legal proceedings

In July 2009, the Mexican army arrested Luis Gerardo Ibarra Cardona with more than 3.6 million dollars, crystal methamphetamine, weapons and numerous valuables; SEDENA described him as involved in producing and trafficking the drug within García Simental's cell.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Indirectly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional — Gobierno de MéxicoEjército Mexicano asegura más de tres millones de dólares y gran cantidad de joyas a la Organización Arellano FélixOfficial statementVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

26 April 2008

Boulevard Insurgentes gun battle in Tijuana between rival factions

No legal proceedings

An armed clash on Boulevard Insurgentes between groups linked respectively to Fernando Sánchez Arellano and García Simental left 13 dead; authorities seized dozens of weapons and vehicles. A group subordinate to García Simental was identified among the participants.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 1

[1]
Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional — Gobierno de MéxicoPersonal militar de las Secretarías de la Defensa Nacional y Marina, detuvieron a José Filiberto Parra RamosOfficial statementVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

Support the archive

Controversia checks and updates its profiles independently. Support is optional and has no effect on the content of profiles.

Donate