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.