Zetas leader shot down in northern Mexico

[News_Editor]

Zetas leader shot down in northern Mexico

2011-01-25 22:07:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

NUEVO LEON, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- Mexico's Defense Ministry on Tuesday announced that a main leader of the drug trafficking organization "Los Zetas" was shot down in northern Mexico.

Mexican soldiers on Monday carried out an operation in the northern state of Nuevo Leon in order to disrupt drug trafficking. Army personnel were conducting routine patrols along the Monclova highway.

Zetas operatives blocked many streets and roads in the surroundings of Monterrey city which prompted the many confrontations on Monday.Overall, the army shot down seven suspects and freed one kidnapped citizen.

Six confrontations occurred during the evening. At about 1:50 p.m. local time, soldiers were attacked by gunmen associated with a criminal organization in Cadereyta Jimenez municipality.

The military personnel returned fire and one suspect was killed. In addition, two vehicles, 17 assault rifles, 1 grenade and 5,186 clips of ammunition were seized. The second event took place at 2:05 p.m. when another group of criminals opened fire at soldiers.

The attack was perpetrated by members of the Zetas drug cartel in Escobedo municipality. After the confrontation between gunmen and soldiers, three criminals were shot down, including one of the main regional leaders of the Zetas, identified only as "Comandante Lino" (Commander Lino).

Soldiers also seized six vehicles, 9 assault rifles, 2 handguns and 5 grenades. Minutes later, Army personnel aided the pursuit of a group of individuals that kidnapped two local police officers. In the subsequent gunfight, two criminals were killed and one vehicle and four assault rifles seized.

At about 2:40 p.m. local time, soldiers were patrolling the Garcia municipality. Zetas operatives opened fire against them and as a result one alleged criminal was killed. One van used by the criminals was burned down during the exchange of fire.

Another Army patrol at the Fernando A. Amilpa neighborhood in Escobedo resulted in another confrontation as Army personnel disrupted a kidnapping. However, the victim resulted with non-life threatening injuries.

Finally, at about 5:00 p.m., another group of gunmen attacked soldiers in Monterrey city, the capital of the state. Two assault rifles, one pistol, ten clips of ammunition and two vehicles were secured.

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