Mexico City, Apr 6 (EFE).- The suspected regional boss of the Zetas drug cartel in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas was captured by federal security forces, Mexican officials said.
Jose Sanchez Garcia was arrested during an operation conducted by the Federal Police and marines, National Security Commissioner Monte Alejandro Rubido said.
Sanchez Garcia was detained last Thursday in Matamoros, located across the border from Brownsville, Texas, Rubido said.
The 47-year-old suspect, a native of Abasolo, Tamaulipas, was the subject of an arrest warrant.
Sanchez Garcia joined Los Zetas in 2010 at the invitation of cartel boss Mario Armando Ramirez Treviño, "quickly climbing the ladder because of the aggressiveness with which he acted," Rubido said.
He was in charge of at least seven teams of hitmen who mainly operated in the cities of Aldama, Soto la Marina and Abasolo, all located in Tamaulipas, the national security commissioner said.
Sanchez Garcia also ran a large network of informants, keeping tabs on police operations on his turf.
The suspected Zetas member faces murder, kidnapping and other charges.
Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano, known as "El Lazca," deserted from the Mexican army in 1999 and formed Los Zetas with three other soldiers, all members of an elite, U.S.-trained special operations unit.
After several years as the armed wing of the Gulf cartel, Los Zetas went into the drug business on their own account in early 2010 and now control several lucrative territories.
Lazcano was killed by marines on Oct. 7, 2012.
