He was one of Mexico’s most feared drug lords, wanted by the police while living a life of luxury.
But in 1997 Amado Carrillo Fuentes died suddenly, killed by plastic surgery.
The 40-year-old seemed fearless after seizing control of the Juarez drug cartel and became known as the ‘Lord of the Skies’ after acquiring a huge fleet of jets to transport his narcotics.
As well as being one of Mexico’s biggest drug dealers, Carrillo was also a prolific money launderer shifting cash from Mexico to Columbia, which he used to finance his fleet of jets.
The drugs trade was a family business for Carrillo, who learned how to become one of the most dangerous in Mexico at his uncle’s knee.
One of 11, Carrillo was clearly a favourite nephew of Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo, who was better known as Don Neto and the leader of the Guadalajara cartel.
He taught his nephew everything he knew about the drug trade, and Carrillo eventually recruited his brothers and even son into the family business.
However, it wasn’t long before the family were paying the price for working in such a dangerous industry.
Carrillo’s father died in 1986, followed by his brother, Cipriano Carrillo Fuentes, in mysterious circumstances three years later.
Ruthless from an early age, Carrillo became boss of his own cartel by murdering its boss, Rafael Aguilar Guajardo.
A deeply private man, Carrillo was rarely photographed.
During his time as one of the most powerful drug lords in Mexico, Carrillo is said to have amassed a gigantic £20billion fortune.
But in the years leading up to his death, the net was starting to tighten around Carrillo as authorities upped their efforts to arrest him and dismantle his deadly empire.
He was so afraid he was going to be caught, Carrillo came up with a plan to alter his appearance so dramatically, including liposuction, that he would never be recognised.
It was a decision that cost him his life as he died while on the operating table in 1997.
Chillingly, the bodies of his surgeons were found sometime later. They have been brutally tortured before they were killed and their bodies stuffed in oil barrels before concrete was poured over them.
Carrillo’s brother, Vicente, is believed to have taken over his sibling’s empire following his death and is currently awaiting trial in Mexico.
Now, for the first time, Carrillo’s luxury £1.6million villa, paid for with the spoils of his drug empire, has been sold and people can see inside the home of the man who was once Mexico’s most feared drug lord.
Cash from the sale, which was auctioned last weekend, will be given back to the Mexican people to try to repair some of the damage caused by Carrillo’s reign of terror.
The stunning home, which is in one of the best neighbourhoods, is surrounded by huge and lush gardens.
In one corner stands an adorable stone playhouse, perfect for small children.
There is an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, bar and even a wine cellar.
The entrance to the home is by a sweeping drive with a huge courtyard, and while the kitchen now appears to be dated, in 1997 it would have been state-of-the-art.
And his luxury villa wasn’t the only one of Carrillo’s possessions to go under the hammer to help Mexico’s poor.
More than 70 of his cars, five planes, five more homes and more than 100 pieces of jewellery were also auctioned.
The drug lord’s haul raised a massive £3.6million, the largest of its kind.
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