Mexican officials have confirmed the capture of the “principal head” of the La Familia Michoacana drug cartel. Jose de Jesus Mendez Vargas, nicknamed “The Monkey,” was taken into custody Tuesday at a federal road block in Aguascalientes. No shots were fired and no one was injured.
National security spokesman Alejandro Poire said Vargas’ capture “has destroyed the remaining command structure” of La Familia Michoacana. This is the second time in less than a year that the cartel has lost its leader. La Familia Michoacana founder Nazario Moreno González was killed during a shootout with Mexican security forces last December.
La Familia Michoacana is considered the largest supplier of methamphetamines to the United States. The group is also responsible for smuggling and distributing cocaine and marijuana. In Mexico, La Familia Michoacana extorts taxes from local businesses and controls crime.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon took to his official Twitter page to praise Vargas’ arrest. "A large blow by federal police to organized crime. One of the most wanted criminals was captured. Congratulations,” he said.
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