to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Drug Info
    • Paraphernalia
  • Drugs & Your Family
    • Accidental Exposure: Drugs and Young Children
    • Medications in Your Home
    • Signs of Drug Use
    • Social Media: Understanding a Teen's World
    • Talking to Your Child When You Suspect Drug Use
    • True Stories
    • Using Over-the-Counter Medication Safely
    • What You Should Know About Marijuana Concentrates/ Honey Butane Oil
    • What’s Happening in Your Child’s School
    • Why do Teens Use Drugs?
  • News & Media
    • Latest News
    • Emerging Drug Trends
    • Tracking Drug Use and Other Drug-Related Statistics
  • Consequences
    • Drugged Driving—What You Should Know
    • Federal Student Aid and Consequences of a Drug Conviction
    • How Do Drug Overdoses Happen?
    • How Drugs Alter Brain Development and Affect Teens
    • School Failure
    • State and Federal Drug Laws
    • Treatment and Recovery
    • True Stories
    • VIDEO: Taking Prescription Drugs to Get High—A Bad Idea
  • Get Involved
    • DEA Museum
    • DEA Red Ribbon Week Patch Program
    • Get Involved in a Community Anti-Drug Coalition
    • National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
    • National Recovery Month 2021
    • Operation Prevention
    • Red Ribbon Week is Oct. 23-31
    • Upcoming DEA 360 Events
  • Search
  • Menu
Home
  • English
  • Spanish
  • DEA Publications
  • Get Updates
  • Find Help
  • Menu

Main Menu

  • Drug Info
  • Drugs & Your Family
  • News & Media
  • Consequences
  • Get Involved
  • Search
  • Menu

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Get Involved
  3. Who Was Enrique “Kiki” Camarena?

Who Was Enrique “Kiki” Camarena?

Last Updated: Tuesday December 7, 2021


Enrique Camarena

 

Who is the man that inspired Red Ribbon Week? Check out the timeline below to learn more about the life of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena.

July 26, 1947 - Birth

Enrique "Kiki" Camarena was born in Mexicali, Baja California. In 1956, he and his family moved to nearby Calexico, California.

1960s - Early Years

After he graduated from high school, Camarena served in the United States Marine Corps. After serving, he worked as a fireman in Calexico and attended Imperial Valley College, earning an associate’s degree.

1970 - Law Enforcement Work

Camarena joined the Calexico Police Department. He was later assigned to El Centro where he worked as a narcotics investigator for Imperial County.

1974 - DEA

He became a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Camarena wanted to make an impact in his country, but his family was very worried. His mother even tried to talk him out of becoming a special agent. But he refused, saying "Even if I'm only one person, I can make a difference."

1980s - Mexico

Camarena was assigned to Mexico where he was on the trail of Mexican marijuana and cocaine drug traffickers.

1985 - Camarena’s Death

During his time in Mexico, Camarena came dangerously close to exposing top leaders of a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline in the country. Because of this, he was scheduled to be moved to another assignment in 1985.

But on February 7, 1985, at 2:00 pm, he was kidnapped by five men as he left the American Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico. They took him to a location where he was tortured and brutally murdered by drug traffickers. His body was recovered about one month after he was kidnapped. 

Camarena’s Legacy

Camarena left behind his wife, Geneva "Mika" Camarena, and three sons -- Enrique, Daniel and Eric.

1985 Red Ribbon Week – Local Beginnings

Camarena sacrificed his life in the fight against drugs, and members of his community wanted to do something to remember him. So, Red Ribbon Week was born. It started in Camarena’s hometown, Calexico, but soon gained momentum across California.

1988 - National Red Ribbon Week

The first National Red Ribbon Week was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988, and NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year.

The Present

Today, people in communities all across the country continue to celebrate Red Ribbon.  Find out how you can get involved.

Featured Articles
Beware illicit fentanyl
Illicit Fentanyl PSA
Woman uses a phone
Suicide Prevention Lifeline Transitions to 988
Wyatt Williamson
Wyatt's Story
one pill can kill logo
One Pill Can Kill

Footer

  • About this site
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Useful links
    • DEA Publications
    • Drugs & Paraphernalia
    • Find Help
    • Just Think Twice
    • Campus Drug Prevention
  • About DEA
    • Accessibility
    • DEA: Who We Are
    • FOIA
    • U.S. Department of Justice
    • Legal Policies and Disclaimers
    • USA.gov
Home
This is a United States Government, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website. The inclusion of a link on this website does not constitute an official endorsement, guarantee, or approval by DEA.