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| Mexico police seize 'cartel head' | Mexico police seize 'cartel head' |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Police in Mexico have arrested a man they allege is the leader of one of the country's biggest drug cartels. | Police in Mexico have arrested a man they allege is the leader of one of the country's biggest drug cartels. |
| The suspect, Victor Magno Escobar, is said to be an operator of the Arellano Felix brothers cartel, known as a major player in the US drugs trade. | |
| Mr Escobar, a former policeman, was detained with several others in the border town of Tijuana, police said. | Mr Escobar, a former policeman, was detained with several others in the border town of Tijuana, police said. |
| The cartel's previous leader, Javier Arrellano Felix, was arrested last year and is now in an American jail. | The cartel's previous leader, Javier Arrellano Felix, was arrested last year and is now in an American jail. |
| At its height, the so-called "Arellano Felix Organisation" is thought to have been the main supplier of cocaine and marijuana to the US. | At its height, the so-called "Arellano Felix Organisation" is thought to have been the main supplier of cocaine and marijuana to the US. |
| Officers who arrested Mr Escobar also seized a number of guns, bullet-proof vests and pick-up trucks, a statement from prosecutors said. | Officers who arrested Mr Escobar also seized a number of guns, bullet-proof vests and pick-up trucks, a statement from prosecutors said. |
| One of the suspects detained with him was a serving member of Tijuana's police force, according to local media reports. | One of the suspects detained with him was a serving member of Tijuana's police force, according to local media reports. |
| The arrests come at a time when Mexico's government is seeking to crack down on violence linked to drugs trafficking. | The arrests come at a time when Mexico's government is seeking to crack down on violence linked to drugs trafficking. |
| President Felipe Calderon has been sending thousands of troops to several Mexican regions to tackle drug cartels. | President Felipe Calderon has been sending thousands of troops to several Mexican regions to tackle drug cartels. |
| Last year, more than 2,000 people died in cartel-related violence - some of the victims were tortured or beheaded. | Last year, more than 2,000 people died in cartel-related violence - some of the victims were tortured or beheaded. |