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'La Familia cartel boss' Mendez Vargas held in Mexico 'La Familia cartel boss' Mendez Vargas held in Mexico
(about 3 hours later)
Mexican President Felipe Calderon has congratulated police on the capture of the alleged leader of the notorious La Familia drugs cartel.Mexican President Felipe Calderon has congratulated police on the capture of the alleged leader of the notorious La Familia drugs cartel.
Police arrested Jose de Jesus Mendez Vargas, also known as "The Monkey", in the central city of Aguascalientes.Police arrested Jose de Jesus Mendez Vargas, also known as "The Monkey", in the central city of Aguascalientes.
Mr Calderon described the capture as a great blow to organised crime.Mr Calderon described the capture as a great blow to organised crime.
La Familia has a reputation for gruesome violence but claims to protect local communities and promote family values.La Familia has a reputation for gruesome violence but claims to protect local communities and promote family values.
Mexico's security spokesman Alejandro Poire said the arrest had "destroyed the chain of command" of the cartel.Mexico's security spokesman Alejandro Poire said the arrest had "destroyed the chain of command" of the cartel.
The Mexican attorney general's office said Mr Mendez Vargas was "responsible for the transfer and sale of cocaine, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine in various states of Mexico and the US".The Mexican attorney general's office said Mr Mendez Vargas was "responsible for the transfer and sale of cocaine, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine in various states of Mexico and the US".
He is also accused of having masterminded the kidnappings and killings of rival gang members.He is also accused of having masterminded the kidnappings and killings of rival gang members.
The government had offered a $2.5m reward for information leading to his capture.The government had offered a $2.5m reward for information leading to his capture.
A previous leader of La Familia, Nazario Moreno, was killed by security forces in December 2010.A previous leader of La Familia, Nazario Moreno, was killed by security forces in December 2010.
His arrest led to a violent split in the gang. Mr Mendez Vargas is believed to remained head of the faction continuing under the name of La Familia.His arrest led to a violent split in the gang. Mr Mendez Vargas is believed to remained head of the faction continuing under the name of La Familia.
The other faction, called the Knights Templar, is believed to be led by Servando "La Tuta" Gomez Martinez.The other faction, called the Knights Templar, is believed to be led by Servando "La Tuta" Gomez Martinez.
La Familia is a drug cartel like no other. By spreading a pseudo-religious message and engaging in some charity work, the gang has managed to gain some support among the local population in its home state of Michoacan.
The cartel has also managed to expand its business from its stronghold on the Pacific Coast to other areas of Mexico.
But the arrest of Mr Mendez Vargas could signal a turning point for the powerful group.
The Mexican authorities say it is on the brink of collapse after the arrest of several leaders. They say Mr Mendez Vargas' arrest constitutes "the biggest blow" to La Familia so far.
But sceptics say the resulting power vacuum could lead to more bloodshed, as rival gangs fight for control of the lucrative drugs business and the trafficking routes towards the United States.
These gangs are active in parts of south-west and central Mexico, in particular Michoacan, the state of Mexico and Guanajuato, according to Samuel Gonzalez Ruiz, the former head of Mexico's organised crime unit.These gangs are active in parts of south-west and central Mexico, in particular Michoacan, the state of Mexico and Guanajuato, according to Samuel Gonzalez Ruiz, the former head of Mexico's organised crime unit.
For Mr Gonzalez Ruiz, Mr Mendez Vargas's arrest will not have a big effect on the ground.For Mr Gonzalez Ruiz, Mr Mendez Vargas's arrest will not have a big effect on the ground.
"The impact will be totally limited because the illicit (drugs) market is there, the extortion is there, the kidnappings are there," he told the BBC."The impact will be totally limited because the illicit (drugs) market is there, the extortion is there, the kidnappings are there," he told the BBC.
In 2009, when La Familia was still run by Nazario Moreno, an assessment by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said La Familia had a "Robin Hood-type mentality".In 2009, when La Familia was still run by Nazario Moreno, an assessment by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said La Familia had a "Robin Hood-type mentality".
"They believe they are doing God's work, and pass out bibles and money to the poor. La Familia Michoacana also gives money to schools and local officials," the DEA said."They believe they are doing God's work, and pass out bibles and money to the poor. La Familia Michoacana also gives money to schools and local officials," the DEA said.
La Familia came to prominence in 2006 when suspected members threw five severed heads into a disco. A letter accompanying the heads declared: "Only those who deserve to die will die."La Familia came to prominence in 2006 when suspected members threw five severed heads into a disco. A letter accompanying the heads declared: "Only those who deserve to die will die."
In December that year, President Calderon, who is from Michoacan, deployed troops to the state to take on the gang, later extending his drug fight to other parts of Mexico.In December that year, President Calderon, who is from Michoacan, deployed troops to the state to take on the gang, later extending his drug fight to other parts of Mexico.
Since then at least 34,000 people have died, according to official figures.Since then at least 34,000 people have died, according to official figures.
The authorities have not updated these statistics since January.The authorities have not updated these statistics since January.
Several top drug bosses have been arrested during the past four and a half years.Several top drug bosses have been arrested during the past four and a half years.