13 drug cartel members arrested after operation in northern Mexico

[News_Editor]

13 drug cartel members arrested after operation in northern Mexico

2010-12-29 22:57:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

DURANGO, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- Mexican authorities on Wednesday announced the arrest of 13 drug cartel members, including former police officers, after an operation in Durango state, northern Mexico.

According to El Universal newspaper, among the 13 detainees is former police officer Jesus Manuel Moreno Reyes the alleged leader of a criminal group that perpetrated violent crimes. Moreno Reyes, also known as "El Trape," is suspected of leading an armed group at the service of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

In addition, two other former state police officers were arrested during the operation in which Mexican federal police clashed with gunmen Tuesday afternoon. In the security operation, at least seven people were killed, including two civilians.

Eduardo Pequeño Garcia, head of the anti-narcotics division of the federal police, confirmed the civilian casualties, including a 13-year-old minor, and said that the fatalities were a "collateral damage."

Pequeño added that Moreno Reyes was in charge of bribery and corruption activities in Durango on behalf of the Sinaloa cartel. At least three Durango officials received bribes form Moreno Reyes, according to Pequeño, without disclosing names.

The second in command, Ranulfo Ramirez Ruiz, also an ex-police officer, was also arrested and is suspected of providing weapons and vehicles to the members of the armed cell known as "Gente Nueva" (New People).

The 13 detainees, including two women, perpetrated varied activities for the "Gente Nueva" cell group, such as surveillance of the main entry points to the state and killing rival drug cartel members. In the operation, police forces seized weaponry, military clothing and fake police badges.

The operation, which erupted into a gunfight, began around 2 p.m. local time on Tuesday in the Liberacion Social neighborhood, located in the southern part of Durango. It lasted approximately four hours.

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