MEXICO CITY
Authorities have detained one of the most wanted drug lords in Mexico, the federal police confirmed Thursday.
Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, leader of the Juarez Cartel, was captured in a “discreet operation” by the National Security Council and detained in Torreon, Coahuila, officials said.
The Mexican government had offered up to $2.2 million for information leading to his capture, while the U.S. offered $5 million.
Fuentes is the brother of Amado Carrillo Fuentes, former head of the Juarez Cartel, who died in 1997 during surgery. The Juarez Cartel, one of main drug cartels in Mexico, was founded in the 1970s and led by Amado Carrillo until his death. Following his death, Vicente Carrillo became one of the organization’s leaders, along with Juan José Esparragoza.
The U.S. government sought to Carrillo Fuentes on charges of murder, money laundering, distribution of banned substances and a host of other charges.
Fuentes' capture comes on the heals of another major arrest of a drug kingpin last week when authorities were able to apprehend Hector Beltran Leyva.
The country has been trying to repair its image recently following the disappearance of 43 students in southern Mexico earlier this month following a clash with police. That was in the wake of a possible execution of 22 suspected gang members by police in June.
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