Meet Jesus Malverde, the patron saint of drug dealers. Legend has it that he was a Mexican Robin Hood figure – a handsome moustachioed bandito who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Some say he was born in Sinaloa state in 1888 and hanged in 1909. Others say he didn't exist at all but is a conglomeration of stories about local bandits. Either way, a cult has grown around Jesus Malverde and he is worshipped as a narco-saint.
There is a chapel devoted to Malverde in the city of Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state. Devotees kneel and pray at the altar to request his help with their troubles. Various miracles have been attributed to him. Believers light candles and leave dollar bills and photographs as thanks for his help. Some go further, having commemorative plaques engraved or hiring musicians to sing for him.
The facade of the chapel of Saint Jesus Malverde in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, MexicoLuis Acosta/AFPA woman prays in front of the altar of the Chapel of Jesus MalverdeYuri Cortez/AFPA man prays at the chapel devoted to narco-saint Jesus MalverdeAlfredo Estrella/AFPDollar bills are pasted on the ceiling of the chapelAlfredo Estrella/AFPPhotographs are hung on the walls of the chapel of Saint Jesus Malverde. The sign reads 'Thank God and Malverde for the favours received, Leon Zavala family'Luis Acosta/AFPPhotos placed by believers are seen inside the Chapel of Jesus MalverdeYuri Cortez/AFPA plaque, posters and pictures are hung by believers inside the Malverde chapelAlfredo Estrella/AFPCommemorative plaques giving thanks to Jesus Malverde are seen inside the chapelLuis Acosta/AFPTwo musicians perform inside the chapel of Saint Jesus MalverdeLuis Acosta/AFP
Of course, the chapel has a shop as well, where devotees and tourists can buy T-shirts, caps, posters, massage oils and bath salts featuring images of the patron saint of drug lords, often surrounded by marijuana leaves.
The cult of Malverde is intertwined into the region's illicit drug trade. Some Sinaloa state drug lords use Malverde's image as a 'generous bandit' to portray themselves as Robin Hoods of sorts, taking money from wealthy American drug addicts and giving some of their wealth back to local people, in the form of schools and community improvements.
Jewellery featuring images of Jesus Malverde and marijuana leaves are seen at the chapelRonaldo Schemidt/AFPPictures of narco-saint Jesus Malverde surrounded by marijuana leaves are seen inside the chapelAlfredo Estrella/AFPA woman shows her nails decorated with marijuana leaves and images of narco patron saint Jesus MalverdeMica Rosenberg/ReutersA man visits the Malverde chapelRonaldo Schemidt/AFPScapulars – devotional necklaces – are seen at the chapel devoted to narco-saint Jesus MalverdeRonaldo Schemidt/AFPFigures of narco-saint Jesus Malverde are displayed at the chapelRonaldo Schemidt/AFPA young man wearing a T-shirt decorated with a handgun and a rosary holds candles while waiting to get in the Chapel of Jesus MalverdeYuri Cortez/AFPThe Chapel of Jesus Malverde as a storm approachesYuri Cortez/AFPA cap reading 'Chapo', referring to Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzman, aka El Chapo, is pictured in a shop next to the Jesus Malverde chapelAlfredo Estrella/AFPHats decorated with an image of Jesus Malverde surrounded by marijuana leaves are for sale outside the chapelYuri Cortez/AFPA man wearing a cap with an image of Jesus Malverde works in a poppy field in Guerrero State, MexicoPedro Pardo/AFP
The state is home to the notorious Sinaloa cartel, which was run by Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, considered to be most powerful drug trafficker in the world until he was captured (and recaptured after several escapes).
