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Mexican drug boss El Coss captured by authorities Mexican drug boss El Coss captured by authorities
(8 days later)
The Mexican navy says it has captured one of Mexico's most wanted drug bosses, the head of the Gulf cartel, in what would mark a major victory in President Felipe Calderón's crackdown on organised crime.The Mexican navy says it has captured one of Mexico's most wanted drug bosses, the head of the Gulf cartel, in what would mark a major victory in President Felipe Calderón's crackdown on organised crime.
The capture of Jorge Costilla, alias El Coss, is a boost for the military battle against drug trafficking, but it could open a power vacuum and intensify a struggle south of the Texas border in north-east Mexico, a region that has seen some of the most horrific violence in the country's six-year war among law-enforcement and rival gangs.The capture of Jorge Costilla, alias El Coss, is a boost for the military battle against drug trafficking, but it could open a power vacuum and intensify a struggle south of the Texas border in north-east Mexico, a region that has seen some of the most horrific violence in the country's six-year war among law-enforcement and rival gangs.
Clad in a blue plaid shirt and bulletproof vest, the suspect was presented along with 10 bodyguards. The navy also showed dozens of assault weapons, some pistols that appeared gilded and studded with jewels, and several expensive-looking watches seized in the operation.Clad in a blue plaid shirt and bulletproof vest, the suspect was presented along with 10 bodyguards. The navy also showed dozens of assault weapons, some pistols that appeared gilded and studded with jewels, and several expensive-looking watches seized in the operation.
Navy spokesman Jose Luis Vergara said five guards had been arrested on Wednesday morning. Five fled when marines tried to arrest them and the chase led authorities to Coss's hideout in Tampico in north-eastern Mexico.Navy spokesman Jose Luis Vergara said five guards had been arrested on Wednesday morning. Five fled when marines tried to arrest them and the chase led authorities to Coss's hideout in Tampico in north-eastern Mexico.
Costilla shook his head when asked if he had anything to say about the charges against him and if he had a lawyer.Costilla shook his head when asked if he had anything to say about the charges against him and if he had a lawyer.
The US state department has a reward of up to $5m (£3m) for his capture.The US state department has a reward of up to $5m (£3m) for his capture.
The arrest comes barely a week after the Mexican navy captured the senior Gulf cartel member Mario Cárdenas, alias Fatso.The arrest comes barely a week after the Mexican navy captured the senior Gulf cartel member Mario Cárdenas, alias Fatso.
The Gulf cartel has been weakened by a violent turf war with the Zetas, a gang formed by army deserters which acted as enforcers for the cartel before 2010.The Gulf cartel has been weakened by a violent turf war with the Zetas, a gang formed by army deserters which acted as enforcers for the cartel before 2010.
It could also have political implications because top officials in the cartel's stronghold, the state of Tamaulipas, have been accused of taking money from local drug gangs.It could also have political implications because top officials in the cartel's stronghold, the state of Tamaulipas, have been accused of taking money from local drug gangs.
"All these politicians who were getting money from the Gulf cartel ought to be very worried now because this information is going to come to light," said Alberto Islas, a security expert at the consultancy Risk Evaluation."All these politicians who were getting money from the Gulf cartel ought to be very worried now because this information is going to come to light," said Alberto Islas, a security expert at the consultancy Risk Evaluation.
He said he expected Costilla to be extradited to the US, and that his testimony could prove damaging to officials in Tamaulipas and neighbouring Veracruz state, which has also been dogged by allegations of corruption.He said he expected Costilla to be extradited to the US, and that his testimony could prove damaging to officials in Tamaulipas and neighbouring Veracruz state, which has also been dogged by allegations of corruption.
Tomás Yarrington, a governor of Tamaulipas between 1999 and 2005 for the Institutional Revolutionary party (PRI), which will retake the national presidency in December, is wanted in Mexico for aiding drug gangs.Tomás Yarrington, a governor of Tamaulipas between 1999 and 2005 for the Institutional Revolutionary party (PRI), which will retake the national presidency in December, is wanted in Mexico for aiding drug gangs.
The FBI said Costilla was believed to have taken over the daily operations of the cartel after his former boss Osiel Cárdenas was arrested and jailed in Mexico in 2003.The FBI said Costilla was believed to have taken over the daily operations of the cartel after his former boss Osiel Cárdenas was arrested and jailed in Mexico in 2003.
He features prominently on a wanted list of 37 kingpins the Mexican government published in 2009. Well over 20 on that list have now been captured or killed.He features prominently on a wanted list of 37 kingpins the Mexican government published in 2009. Well over 20 on that list have now been captured or killed.
Costilla's capture could, however, lead to more violence with the weakening of the Gulf cartel intensifying turf wars for control of Mexico's north-eastern border with Texas between the Sinaloa cartel and the Zetas.Costilla's capture could, however, lead to more violence with the weakening of the Gulf cartel intensifying turf wars for control of Mexico's north-eastern border with Texas between the Sinaloa cartel and the Zetas.
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