Drug War

Mexican Drug Lord Arrested

Mendez Vargas is head of the “La Familia” gang.

Mexican police on Tuesday arrested Jose de Jesus Mendez Vargas, also known as “The Monkey” and the head of the La Familia drug cartel. Mexican President Felipe Calderon praised the capture as a major blow to organized crime. Mendez Vargas is accused of transfer and sale of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and marijuana in the U.S. and Mexico as well as masterminding the killing and kidnapping of rival gang members. The previous leader of La Familia, Nazario Moreno, was killed by security forces in December 2010. La Familia claims to protect local communities and families, but is really one of Mexico’s top drug gangs.