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Mexico arrests 'senior drug lord' Mexico captures 'key drug lord'
(1 day later)
Mexican police have arrested an American national accused of being a leading member of a drug cartel. Mexican police have arrested a US citizen accused of being a key figure in a major drug cartel based in the border city of Tijuana.
Gustavo Rivera Martinez is alleged to be one of the main financial backers of the Arellano Felix cartel based in the border town of Tijuana. Gustavo Rivera Martinez was responsible for the logistics of smuggling drugs to the US and laundering the proceeds, Mexico's interior minister said.
He was wanted by the FBI. The US Drug Enforcement Agency was offering a reward of $2m (£1m) for his capture. He is wanted by the FBI and the US Drug Enforcement Agency which offered a $2m (£1m) reward for his capture.
Mr Rivera Martinez is to be turned over to the American authorities, who have sought him since 2002. Mr Rivera Martinez would be sent back immediately to the US, officials said.
Mexican Public Safety Secretary Genaro Garcia Luna said Mr Rivera Martinez had taken over the cartel after the arrest of its founder, Francisco Arellano Felix. "This individual is one of the criminals most sought after by the DEA and FBI," said Mexican Interior Secretary Juan Camilo Mourino.
Mr Rivera Martinez was arrested in the state of Baja California Sur together with several other suspects.
He had been a fugitive from US justice since 2002.
Mexican officials said Mr Rivera Martinez was a key figure in the Tijuana cartel and close to Enedina Arellano Felix, the latest member of the Arellano Felix family to head the drugs ring.
Large rewardLarge reward
Mr Felix was sentenced to life in prison by a US court last year after pleading guilty to running the cartel.
Mr Rivera Martinez was arrested along with several others in the northern state of Baja California Sur.
The Arellano Felix cartel, based across the US border from San Diego, rose to prominence in the 1980s.The Arellano Felix cartel, based across the US border from San Diego, rose to prominence in the 1980s.
It paid millions of dollars in bribes to local law enforcement officers and was blamed for increasing violence, including the murder of informants and rival traffickers.It paid millions of dollars in bribes to local law enforcement officers and was blamed for increasing violence, including the murder of informants and rival traffickers.
Much of the group's activities centred on smuggling Colombian cocaine through Mexico to California.Much of the group's activities centred on smuggling Colombian cocaine through Mexico to California.
Correspondents say this latest arrest will be seen as a further blow to the cartel whose power has been undermined by a concerted drive against its leaders.Correspondents say this latest arrest will be seen as a further blow to the cartel whose power has been undermined by a concerted drive against its leaders.
One of its founders, Francisco Javier Arellano Felix, was sentenced to life in prison by a US court last year after pleading guilty to running the cartel.
But as the Tijuana cartel's influence has waned, other drugs gangs have tried to move in on its turf.
Drug-related violence has become a serious issue across Mexico and since taking office in December 2006, President Felipe Calderon has sent some 25,000 soldiers and federal police to key areas to tackle the drug-traffickers.