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/6987953.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Top Colombia 'drug lord' arrested Top Colombia 'drug lord' arrested
(about 4 hours later)
Police in Colombia have captured suspected drug baron Diego Montoya, the country's interior minister says. Police in Colombia have captured the man they regard as the country's top drug baron, Diego Montoya.
He was arrested in the west the country after a long manhunt, officials said. He was arrested in his western home province of Valle del Cauca.
Mr Montoya - known in Colombia's underworld as the "boss of bosses" - appears on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation's "10 Most Wanted" list.Mr Montoya - known in Colombia's underworld as the "boss of bosses" - appears on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation's "10 Most Wanted" list.
He is accused of producing tons of cocaine for the US market. Officials say he helped found the Norte del Valle cartel based near the city of Cali.He is accused of producing tons of cocaine for the US market. Officials say he helped found the Norte del Valle cartel based near the city of Cali.
The FBI describes Mr Montoya as "armed and extremely dangerous", and says the Norte del Valle cartel receives help from left-wing guerrillas and right-wing paramilitary groups. The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Bogota says Mr Montoya's capture is a huge coup for the government and ends the reign of one of the legends of the Colombian underworld.
No warning
Mr Montoya, 49, was arrested with just two bodyguards and in the company of his mother, without the rings of security that have foiled attempted raids in the past.
A recent scandal in the armed forces revealed that the drugs cartel had infiltrated the military, ensuring that Mr Montoya was warned about operations against him.
With this early warning system dismantled, it appears one of the world's most wanted men was surprised as he relaxed with his family, our correspondent says.
The FBI says the Norte del Valle cartel receives help from left-wing guerrillas and right-wing paramilitary groups.
US authorities had offered a reward of $5m for information leading to Mr Montoya's arrest.US authorities had offered a reward of $5m for information leading to Mr Montoya's arrest.
In July the Colombian extradited another alleged leader of the cartel, Luis Hernando Gomez Bustamante to the US.In July the Colombian extradited another alleged leader of the cartel, Luis Hernando Gomez Bustamante to the US.
Gomez Bustamante had been arrested in Cuba in July 2004 after entering on a false passport and returned to Colombia earlier this year.Gomez Bustamante had been arrested in Cuba in July 2004 after entering on a false passport and returned to Colombia earlier this year.