Opulent tombs of Jardines del Humaya: Where drug lords rest in style

In Culiacan, Sinaloa, the Jardines del Humaya cemetery stands as a testament to the extravagant lifestyles of Mexico’s notorious drug lords.

Here, mausoleums resemble luxurious homes valued over $500,000, complete with airconditioning, bulletproof glass, surveillance cameras, satellite television and even wi-fi.

These tombs are not just resting places; they are symbols of the power and wealth their occupants wielded in life.

One of the most extravagant tombs is said to belong to Arturo Guzmán Loera, brother of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

This multistorey mausoleum is valued at approximately $400,000 and includes amenities such as airconditioning, a living room with plush leather sofas, a fully equipped kitchen, and bedrooms complete with kingsize beds.

The exterior is said have been crafted from imported marble, and the interior is adorned with crystal chandeliers and gold-plated fixtures.

MORE NEWS

‘Killing the host’: Alien plant takes over major Aus city

Australia’s secretive religious groups exposed

Aus’s worst neighbours exposed

View of elaborate tombs in the Jardines del Humaya cemetery in Culiacan, Sinaloa state in northwest Mexico. AFP PHOTO / ALFREDO ESTRELLA

---

The tombs resemble luxury homes worth millions. AFP PHOTO / ALFREDO ESTRELLA

---

Another notable mausoleum is that of Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel, a prominent figure in the Sinaloa Cartel.

His tomb, valued at around $450,000, features a private chapel, a bar stocked with premium spirits, and a kitchen fitted with the latest appliances.

The mausoleum is equipped with satellite television and Wi-Fi, ensuring that visitors can enjoy modern conveniences during their stay.

Amado Carrillo Fuentes, known as “The Lord of the Skies,” is also interred in a mausoleum that epitomises luxury.

Valued at over $500,000, this sprawling complex includes a private garden, a state-of-the-art security system, and a garage for visiting vehicles.

Many of the buildings are fitted with bullet proof glass, wi-fi and even kitchens. AFP PHOTO / ALFREDO ESTRELLA

---

The tombs serve as gathering places for family members. AFP PHOTO / ALFREDO ESTRELLA

---

The interior boasts Italian marble floors, hand-carved wooden furnishings, and a sound system that plays his favourite music.

At night, lights illuminate the tombs, some equipped with alarm systems and fort-like towers.

Most crypts also have large pictures or paintings of the deceased on the wall – several look like young men in their 20s or 30s – but many of these tombs have no name to identify the person.

‘NARCO CULTURE’

The luxurious graves have become one of the symbols of the “narco culture” that has spread over decades, adding a religious facet to an underworld that has also inspired music, television shows, movies and fashion.

Narco culture is deeply intertwined with religious beliefs, as evidenced by the veneration of figures like Santa Muerte, the skeletal death saint, and Jesus Malverde, a folk saint revered for his Robin Hood-like deeds.

The green Jesus Malverde Chapel in Culiacan even attracts worshippers seeking miracles, leaving offerings of pesos, dollar bills, and thank you notes.

An aerial view of Jardines del Humaya. Credit: @zandlandfilms/TikTok

---

Many tombs have pictures of their occupants. Credit: @zandlandfilms/TikTok

---

It’s not just men who are buried here. Credit: @ juvevlogs6/TikTok

---

“There’s a strong religious component to narco culture because if anyone needs supernatural protection it’s narcos who could be gunned down by rivals or law enforcement at any minute,” Andrew Chesnut, a professor of religious studies and author of the book Devoted to Death told News.com.au in 2016.

Today, the cemetery – which was first established in 1969 – has captured global intrigue with countless of stories and videos found online.

Documentary film maker @zandlandfilms visited Jardines del Humaya in 2024, sharing the experience on TikTok.

Inspecting one of the tombs, which had clearly been hit by a bullet in the past, the unnamed documentary host marvelled at the bullet proof glass and the no-expense spared built.

“You know, if this was in London, this would be £10m (AU$21m),” he said.