Mexico captures 1 of 37 'most-wanted' traffickers

Houston Chronicle/AP ^ | March 25, 2009 | MARK STEVENSON

[SwinneySwitch]

MEXICO CITY — Soldiers captured one of Mexico's most-wanted drug smugglers, whose nickname "la burra" — female donkey — belies his power as the alleged trafficker controlling drugs flowing through the northern city of Monterrey.

Authorities announced the arrest of Hector Huerta Rios on Wednesday, just hours before U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives for a two-day visit to discuss security issues and U.S. support for Mexico's battle against the drug cartels. Clinton is scheduled to travel to Monterrey on Thursday.

Huerta Rios was detained Tuesday in a suburb of Monterrey, said Army Gen. Luis Arturo Oliver. He was one of 37 top drug suspects on a most-wanted list published Monday.

Officials said Huerta Rios acted as a lieutenant for the Beltran Leyva cartel in Monterrey, an industrial hub and Mexico's third-largest city. They say he directed the cartel's operations there, and even met with the rival Gulf cartel to divide up the territory.

"We have information that as the representative of the Beltran Leyva cartel he held meetings with members of the Gulf cartel with the aim of agreeing on drug distribution zones, in order to avoid clashes between the rival gangs," said Marisela Morales, the federal deputy attorney general for organized crime.

The capture occurred just two days after the government published a list of rewards for information leading to the capture of 24 top drug lords and 13 of their lieutenants.

[SwinneySwitch]

"Four men identified as his bodyguards were detained along with him, and soldiers also seized three assault rifles and four grenades from the suspects."

Those pesky grenades again.

[Pharsalus]

I guess the other 36 are paid up. Anyone for another Scott campaign? This time I suggest keeping what we win.

[Constitution Day]

What a success story! That’s an entire 2.7% of the “most wanted” traffickers.

Go Mexico! /s

[Cowboy Bob]

Soldiers captured one of Mexico's most-wanted drug smugglers, whose nickname "la burra" — female donkey

Either he is Gay, or his nickname is a reference to his choice of sexual partners...

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Sounds like the “token drug dealer” arrest to impress Hillary.

Mexico has no grip on the drug problem, and never will.

[SwinneySwitch]

Saw a list yesterday showing 2 others were captured.

[SwinneySwitch]

Pingo!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[ssapro]

Just another “dog and pony show” for the visiting secretary. Mexico needs to make it seem if they actually are trying to combat the cartels. Otherwise they’d lose alot of money from their friends to the north.

[wolfcreek]

There’s always another to take his place. (just like terrorists)

[Ken H]

"We have information that as the representative of the Beltran Leyva cartel he held meetings with members of the Gulf cartel with the aim of agreeing on drug distribution zones, in order to avoid clashes between the rival gangs,"

"Let there be a peace."

[nbhunt]

sad thing is....there are 50-100 more ready and willing to take his place real fast.

[La Lydia]

Maybe the Mexicans have hit on a winning strategy. Monterrey is the city where one of the cartels took umbrage at on of the TV station’s reporting on the narcotraficantes there and attacked the station with grenades and heavy weapons. It’s like the Mafia tried to blow up NBC news because they didn’t like the coverage of John Gotti.