Red ribbon week began after the kidnapping and murder of Kiki Camarena. Kiki had been working undercover for the DEA. Kiki’s efforts led to a tip that resulted in a discovery of a multimillion dollar narcotics manufactturing operation in Chihuahua Mexico. This led to angry leaders of several drug cartels who wanted revenge, therefore they murdered key informants. On Feb. 17, 1985 the kidnapped Kiki and his pilot Captain Alfredo-Avelar. After they were kidnapped the DEA launced an invesigation, but they were dead.