Mexico Cops Capture Alleged Drug Lord

(AP)  Mexican police have captured alleged drug lord Carlos Beltran Leyva, just two week after his even more powerful brother was killed in a shootout with troops - back-to-back victories in President Felipe Calderon's drug war.

The Public Safety office said in a statement Saturday night that Carlos Beltran Leyva was arrested in Culiacan, the capital of the Pacific coast state of Sinaloa, where he and several of his brothers were born and allegedly started their gang.

Two weeks ago, his brother Arturo, reputed chief of the Beltran Leyva Cartel, in the central city of Cuernavaca.

Mexican officials in the past have described Carlos Beltran as a key member of the gang, but it was unclear if he took over as chief of the cartel after his brother died. A third brother, Alfredo Beltran Levya, was arrested in January 2008.

Another brother, Mario Beltran Leyva, is still at large and listed as one of Mexico's most wanted alleged drug lords.

Carlos Beltran Leyva, 40, was carrying a false driver's license identifying him as Carlos Gamez Orpineda when he was arrested by federal police Wednesday, the Public Safety Department said. He later acknowledged he was Arturo Beltran Leyva's brother, the department said.

The statement said there had been an arrest warrant for Carlos Beltran Leyva since 2008. He was found with two guns and ammunition, the statement said.

Public Safety officials said there would be no immediate comment beyond the statement.

The Beltran Leyva brothers worked side by side with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, before they broke away after Gulf Cartel leader Osiel Cardenas was arrested in 2003. They soon seized the lucrative drug routes in northeastern Mexico.

U.S. officials say the Beltran Leyva Cartel has carried out heinous killings, including numerous beheadings. The gang also has had great success in buying off public officials, police and others to protect their business and get tips on planned military raids.

[ky7474]

Of course there's going to be more blood shed. This will be a war that never ends. They will keep amping up the force until they institute a police state or country whichever you prefer, then you will see a real uproar from the good citizens of the country because their rights have been taken away. All this in the name of Prohibition. Well, all the blood shed will be required at the hands of corrupt big corporations, corrupt government, prohibitionists, and conservatist fearmongers. These groups have lost all sense of moral direction and integrity.

[ralphing]

I hope that too many others aren't killed in retaliation, like the Mexican Marines family were when this dealers brother was killed two weeks ago.

[ky7474]

A stong family with strong values is a great ambition for one's life, but to believe that everyone views this in the same way is greatly flawed. The playing field is not level and never has been. The problem is that the one's who find themselves in privalage [ by whatever means ] now believe they have the right to look down on and oppress others that choose to take another road or the road may have been forced on them. As we see and hear all to often money, power,and higher education take away from one's value system. This is a very diverse country, trying to mainstream people into one way of thinking is not only opressive it's down right evil.

[earthling76]

by ky7474 January 3, 2010 3:12 PM EST
.......and higher education take away from one's value system.

How? Is ignorance and lack of education a positive circumstance? Please clarify.

[cbsblogger]

Taking any dealer off the street is good. But the long term answer is elusive and far more complex. The only answer with drugs is the need for a strong family unit and making the effort to instill values in young people as they grow up....just the opposite of what is occurring in the USA. Too many young Americans grow up aimlessly and without sense or values.

Our societal system and economy was cannibalized and outsourced to the detriment of the middle class. It occurred because of the greed in a small segment of our society such as financiers, investment, entertainment and CEOs stripped out much of the money. They have much more but pay less taxes as a reinvestment in our nation. In fact they use much of it to influence government policy to their benefit such as immigration.

As wages fell fewer could afford college and colleges are now importing out of country students many pro bono instead of educating Americans.
America is either going to make some radical needed political changes or it will not be a very pleasant place to live.

[ky7474]

Countries pass corrupted laws which end up producing all kinds of organized crime and drug cartels. Then they spend billions hunting them down as a show of control. I'm glad they caught him but I wish we could have avoided alot of the violence and corruption by having fairer laws that put an emphasis on responsibility other than (in your face zero tolerance].

[bubbadubba]

If only the US had the guts to go after drug leaders, but then the rich and famous would have to do without their drugs.
Mexico, more guts than the US, I thought I would never see that day.

[thesevenveils]

Drug Lords like Rush Limbaugh? The guy that was faking a sickness last week hoping to open up a legal opiate connection in Hawaii.

[earthling76]

This war cannot be won. You take out one leader and a void is left which will be filled quickly by the next murderous degenerate. This story has repeated itself throughout the history of the war on drugs. The policies of prohibition have created a very, very lucrative black market.

[Turbidite]

You mean to tell me that a traffic cop collared Carlos Beltran Leyva? Some cop! He should be made head of the drug-busters.

[askagain]

The article stated that he was arrested by Federal police. It also stated that he had a phony driver's license. Where did you read that he was stopped and arrested by a traffic cop?