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Mexico Nabs Alleged Cartel Leader Tied to Border Shootout

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, 14MARZO2016.- Renato Sales Heredia titular de la CNS, anunició la detención en la Ciudad de México del Cleofas Alberto Martínez Gutiérrez, presunto mando de un grupo delictivo que opera en Reynosa, Tamaulipas, dicha detención derivo un enfrenatmiento entre elementos federales y delincuentes en la ciudad de Reynosa. FOTO: SAÚL LÓPEZ /CUARTOSCURO.COM

Renato Sales Heredia (C) announced the arrest of Cleofas Alberto Martínez Gutiérrez, alleged chief of a crime group in Tamaulipas. Photo: Cuartoscuro/Saúl López.

MEXICO CITY – Mexican officials say they have arrested a suspected drug cartel boss linked to a string of deadly gunbattles in Reynosa, across the border from McAllen, Texas.

National Security Commissioner Renato Sales says police detained Cleofas Alberto Martínez Gutiérrez in Mexico City based on intelligence provided by the army.

Sales says the suspect was detained with weapons, drugs and false identification. He allegedly was in charge of the group involved in Sunday’s shootouts with authorities, in which nine suspected criminals died.

Sales did not give more details Monday.

But another government official said Martinez is believed to be the Gulf Cartel’s No. 2 boss in Reynosa. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and agreed to discuss the case only if not quoted by name.

MARIA VERZA AND EDUARDO CASTILLO