Authorities testing remains found in nine mass graves in southern Mexico have yet to find any of 43 students who disappeared after a confrontation with police.

Mexican marines have detained one of the leaders of the La Familia drug gang which controlled Mexico State, near Mexico City, a senior security official said.

A Mexican drug lord nicknamed ‘The Craziest One’ and said to have been killed over three years ago has been shot dead in a clash with authorities.

Twelve people tortured and killed in a cartel-plagued Mexican state were federal agents investigating organised crime, the government said, marking one of the boldest attacks on federal forces since President Felipe Calderon launched his war on drugs.