Mexico's Marines Detain Alleged Leader Of Gulf Drug Cartel

Mexico's marines have reportedly detained one of the top leaders of the Gulf drug cartel, identified as "La Kena."

According to the public safety department of the border state of Tamaulipas, the suspect was arrested in Nuevo Leon state. He was previously listed on a Tamaulipas wanted poster for José Alberto Vilano in 2022.

Vilano was taken into custody Thursday, as per Mexico's national arrest registry.

Mexico's Navy Department issued a statement, saying it detained "one of the key leaders of one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Tamaulipas," AP News reported. The department noted he was "one of the main targets of the Drug Enforcement Administration."

However, the statement didn't mention the suspect's name. The mayor of San Pedro Garza García Miguel Treviño, on the other hand, confirmed Vilano was arrested at a local shopping mall.

Tamaulipas state prosecutors identified Vilano as "Cyclone 19" in 2022, and offered a reward of $150,000 for his arrest.

Vilano belongs to the Cyclone cartel -- one of the factions of the divided Gulf cartel. It is one of the most powerful and violent groups in the country. The other faction, called The Scorpions, were responsible for the kidnapping of four Americans in March.

The Americans were kidnapped while they were traveling from Texas to the border city of Matamoros in Mexico. They were first fired on and kidnapped in a truck. Zindell Brown and Shaeed Woodard died in the attack, while Eric Williams and Latavia McGee survived.

During the attack, a 33-year-old Mexican lady named Areli Pablo Servando was also killed by a stray bullet.

Following the attack, The Scorpions handed over five men, who were responsible for the kidnapping and killing of the Americans.

A letter from the gang also condemned the violence, "We have decided to turn over those who were directly involved and responsible in the events, who at all times acted under their own decision-making and lack of discipline."