This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7736826.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mexico arrests Interpol liaison Mexico's Interpol chief arrested
(about 8 hours later)
Mexico's main liaison officer with Interpol has been arrested as part of an inquiry into suspected links between officials and drug traffickers.Mexico's main liaison officer with Interpol has been arrested as part of an inquiry into suspected links between officials and drug traffickers.
Ricardo Gutierrez has been placed under house arrest. He can be held for up to 40 days while allegations against him are being investigated. Ricardo Gutierrez Vargas was placed under house arrest. He can be held for up to 40 days while allegations against him are being investigated.
At least three other Mexican officials have been arrested in recent weeks in connection with "Operation Clean-up".At least three other Mexican officials have been arrested in recent weeks in connection with "Operation Clean-up".
About 4,000 people have died this year in drugs-related violence in Mexico.About 4,000 people have died this year in drugs-related violence in Mexico.
Correspondents say the surge in violence is related in part to the successes the Mexican authorities have had in recent months in arresting key members of powerful drug cartels.Correspondents say the surge in violence is related in part to the successes the Mexican authorities have had in recent months in arresting key members of powerful drug cartels.
Operation Clean-up is aimed at weeding out officials with alleged links to the traffickers.Operation Clean-up is aimed at weeding out officials with alleged links to the traffickers.
The investigation into Mr Gutierrez stems from information prosecutors say was obtained following the arrest of a suspected drug baron in January. Prosecutors say that Mr Gutierrez was arrested as part of an investigation into leaks of information to drug cartels.
The cartels control both the internal market and the lucrative flow of drugs across the border to the US. The investigation stems from information prosecutors say was obtained following the arrest of Alfredo Beltran Leyva, an alleged leading member of the Sinaloa cartel in January.
Information obtained from Mr Beltran Leyva's arrest was said to confirm Mexican authorities' beliefs that the cartels have been bribing and working with senior officials to assist them with their illegal activities.
Investigators suspect the cartels may have paid officials up to $450,000 (£300,000) a month in bribe money.
Those huge sums in bribe money may sound astounding, says BBC Latin America editor Emilio San Pedro, but the illegal drugs trade in Mexico is very big business.
The cartels control both the internal market and the lucrative flow of drugs across the border to the US, which is estimated to bring in more than $14bn a year.