Top drug baron captured ahead of Clinton visit

ONE of Mexico’s most-wanted drug smugglers, whose nickname “la burra” — female donkey — belies his power as the alleged trafficker controlling drugs in the northern city of Monterrey, has been captured.

Authorities announced the arrest of Hector Huerta Rios yesterday, hours before US secretary of state Hillary Clinton arrived for a two-day visit to discuss security and US support in the battle against drug cartels.

Huerta Rios was detained on Tuesday in a suburb of Monterrey, said army general Luis Arturo Oliver. He was one of 37 top drug suspects on a most-wanted list published on Monday.

Officials said Huerta Rios acted as a lieutenant for the Beltran Leyva cartel in Monterrey, Mexico’s third-largest city.

They say he directed the cartel’s operations there, and met the rival Gulf cartel to divide up the territory.

“We have information that as the representative of the Beltran Leyva cartel he held meetings with members of the Gulf cartel with the aim of agreeing on drug distribution zones, in order to avoid clashes between the rival gangs,” said Marisela Morales, the federal deputy attorney general for organised crime.

The government published a list of rewards for information leading to the capture of 24 top drug lords and 13 of their lieutenants. Authorities offered rewards up to $2 million (€1.47m) for the drug lords and $1m (€740,000) for the lieutenants. It was not clear if a reward was paid in this case.

Huerta was nicknamed “La Burra,” or female donkey. “Burro,” or male donkey, is a common slang word for someone who transports drugs. Four bodyguards were detained along with him, and soldiers also seized three assault rifles and four grenades from the suspects.