Influencer & Reality Star Arrested in Connection With Drug & Fraud Offenses

Gaby Castillo, an Instagram influencer and musical artist who appeared on the reality TV series Enamorándonos, is reported to have been detained by officials from the Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection in Mexico in connection with drug and fraud charges.

26-year-old Castillo, who used the stage name Briela Sanz for her music, was, per the New York Post, arrested in Mexico City on Monday alongside 35-year-old José Hareff Soto Jimenez. At the time, Castillo was reportedly riding in a black pickup truck and is said to have been “in possession of” the equivalent of roughly $49,000 in cash.

Meanwhile, a regional report from El Universal claims Gaby Castillo and José Hareff are romantic partners, adding that Castillo was previously linked with Óscar Andrés Flores Ramírez (a.k.a. El Lunares). The latter is currently behind bars and has been described as the leader of the La Unión Tepito criminal group.

The El Universal report also alleges that Castillo has been identified as a member of that group, adding that she is believed to have become involved with the drug trade after music career difficulties. José Hareff, meanwhile, is alleged to have been involved in what’s described as a “high-end vehicle fraud” operation that targeted sellers of luxury vehicles via bad checks.