Mexican police and soldiers on Wednesday captured Omar Trevino Morales, widely considered to be the most important leader of the Zetas drug cartel that once carved a path of brutal bloodshed along the nation’s northern border with the US.
Mexican National Security Commissioner Monte Alejandro Rubido said at a news conference in Mexico City that the man known as “Z-42” was arrested in a pre-dawn raid in San Pedro Garza Garcia, a wealthy suburb of the northern city of Monterrey.
A simultaneous raid on another street in the same suburb reaped Carlos Arturo Jimenez Encinas, allegedly Trevino’s finance chief, Rubido said.
Photo: EPA
Tomas Zeron, the attorney general’s criminal investigations chief, called Trevino “one of the most dangerous and bloodthirsty criminals in Mexico,” adding that he faced at least 11 criminal counts, including drug trafficking, organized crime, kidnapping and oil theft. He also said Trevino faced a pending extradition request from the US.
The Mexican government had offered a 30 million peso (US$2 million) reward for his capture on weapons and organized crime charges.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offered a US$5 million reward for his capture, saying he was wanted for drug trafficking.
DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart said in a statement: “The Zetas represent the worst in global organized crime: violence, intimidation, corruption and brutal killings. Today’s arrest strikes at the heart of the leadership structure of the Zetas and should serve as yet another warning that no criminal is immune from arrest and prosecution.”
The suspect is the brother of Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, described as the most bloodthirsty leader of Mexico’s most violent cartel. Miguel Angel was arrested in July 2013, almost a year after Mexican marines killed the Zetas’ other biggest leader, Heriberto Lazcano “El Lazca.”
Rubido said Omar, 38, took over leadership of the Zetas after his brother’s arrest and immediately became a target of their investigation.
The hunt for him caught a break last month when authorities observed someone matching Trevino’s description at one of the houses around Monterrey where Jimenez Encinas, the alleged finance chief, was known to hold meetings, Rubido said.
Surveillance was increased until Trevino’s identity was confirmed. Authorities discovered that he was moving with a smaller than usual security detail to draw less attention.
Just after 3am on Wednesday, Mexican federal police and soldiers moved on both locations, Rubido said, adding that four additional men were also arrested.
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