Mexican police arrest major drug cartel leader

The arrest of reputed drug cartel leader Osiel Cardenas – nearly a year after the death of another of Mexico’s notorious drug lords and the arrest of his brother – may mark the end of an era for the drug kingpins who have dominated the country for two decades.

Cardenas, 35, a former mechanic’s aid who shot his way up through the ranks and shipped tons of cocaine and marijuana to the United States, was taken to the La Palma maximum-security prison west of Mexico City yesterday to await a court appearance on charges of organised crime, drug and weapons charges. Two former army officers arrested with him face weapons charges.