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Navy official: alleged drug cartel chief killed
By ALEXANDRA OLSON
Associated Press Writer
updated 34 minutes ago
MEXICO CITY - One of the most wanted figures in the drug war was killed in a shootout with the Mexican navy Wednesday, an official said.
Arturo Beltran Leyva and three members of his drug cartel died in the gunbattle in a gated, upscale apartment complex in Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City. A fifth suspect committed suicide during the shootout, said the official, who under navy rules could not give his name.
One sailor was injured, he said.
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Beltran Levya, known as the "boss of bosses," was one of four brothers who split from the Sinaloa cartel several years ago and aligned themselves with Los Zetas, a group of former soldiers hired by the Gulf Cartel as hit men.
That split is believed to have fueled much of the bloodshed across Mexico, where more than 14,000 people have been killed in the past three years.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says the Beltran Leyva cartel is a key organization in importing and distributing tons of cocaine in the United States, as well as large quan****** of heroin.
The Mexican government lists Arturo Beltran Leyva as one its 24 most-wanted drug lords and had offered a $2.1 million reward for his capture.
The navy official said more than 200 sailors raided the apartment complex as part of a crackdown on the Beltran Leyva cartel in central Mexico. The raid sparked a gunbattle that lasted nearly two hours.
The raid followed another on a party Friday in the nearby town of Tepoztlan, in which sailors detained Ramon Ayala, a Texas-based norteno singer, and 11 alleged Beltran Leyva members.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexican navy official says alleged drug cartel chief Arturo Beltran Leyva has been killed in shootout.
The official says Beltran Leyva and three other suspected members of his cartel were killed in a shootout with sailors at an apartment complex in the city of Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City. He says a fourth suspect committed suicide during the confrontation.
One sailor was injured.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because navy rules prohibit him from giving his name.
He said Wednesday that the navy raided the apartment complex as part of an ongoing crackdown against the notorious cartel.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30143269
By ALEXANDRA OLSON
Associated Press Writer
updated 34 minutes ago
MEXICO CITY - One of the most wanted figures in the drug war was killed in a shootout with the Mexican navy Wednesday, an official said.
Arturo Beltran Leyva and three members of his drug cartel died in the gunbattle in a gated, upscale apartment complex in Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City. A fifth suspect committed suicide during the shootout, said the official, who under navy rules could not give his name.
One sailor was injured, he said.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad here
Beltran Levya, known as the "boss of bosses," was one of four brothers who split from the Sinaloa cartel several years ago and aligned themselves with Los Zetas, a group of former soldiers hired by the Gulf Cartel as hit men.
That split is believed to have fueled much of the bloodshed across Mexico, where more than 14,000 people have been killed in the past three years.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says the Beltran Leyva cartel is a key organization in importing and distributing tons of cocaine in the United States, as well as large quan****** of heroin.
The Mexican government lists Arturo Beltran Leyva as one its 24 most-wanted drug lords and had offered a $2.1 million reward for his capture.
The navy official said more than 200 sailors raided the apartment complex as part of a crackdown on the Beltran Leyva cartel in central Mexico. The raid sparked a gunbattle that lasted nearly two hours.
The raid followed another on a party Friday in the nearby town of Tepoztlan, in which sailors detained Ramon Ayala, a Texas-based norteno singer, and 11 alleged Beltran Leyva members.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexican navy official says alleged drug cartel chief Arturo Beltran Leyva has been killed in shootout.
The official says Beltran Leyva and three other suspected members of his cartel were killed in a shootout with sailors at an apartment complex in the city of Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City. He says a fourth suspect committed suicide during the confrontation.
One sailor was injured.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because navy rules prohibit him from giving his name.
He said Wednesday that the navy raided the apartment complex as part of an ongoing crackdown against the notorious cartel.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30143269
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