MEXICO. - Mexico's navy announced the arrest of the alleged leader of the Zetas drug cartel in Saltillo, capital of the northern state of Coahuila five days after the capture of his predecessor.

The suspect who was identified by two names, Mario Arturo Zurita Berrones and Adrian Hernandez Sanchez a.k.a. "The Zacapapaz", was arrested Monday in Saltillo by a squad of Marines, said the official statement.

According to the report, the individual who was arrested said that various members of the Zetas, a drug cartel that stands out for the cruelty of their methods, recently appointed him as the leader of that region of the criminal organization in Saltillo.

The former head of that group in Saltillo Said Omar Juarez a.k.a. "The peluso" was arrested on November 7th in the same city, and then it was reported of his "probable direct connection" with Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, alias "Z40" who is considered to be the current leader of "Los Zetas".

"The Zacapapaz" was arrested after a chase by naval personnel through the streets of Saltillo, where he traveled aboard a stolen vehicle, which inside were found two hand grenades, an assault rifle, and a handgun with ammunition according to the official report.

The Zetas cartel is the second largest group of organized crime in Mexico that has a strong presence in the north and northeast, areas which they disputed over with the powerful Gulf Cartel.

Originally they were Hitmen working for the Gulf Cartel, but later on became independent and began to work on their own.

Until recently the Zetas were led by an elite ex-military member Heriberto Lazcano, alias "El Lazca", who died in a clash with members of the Navy on October 7th in the state of Coahuila.

Editorial@sandiegored.com

Translation : Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com