Federal police on Monday captured a long-sought, alleged Texas-born gang kingpin who faces drug trafficking charges in the US and has been blamed for a vicious turf war that has included bodies hung from bridges and shootouts in central Mexico, AP reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The announcement came just hours after the government said nearly 10 percent of the federal police force has been fired this year as part of a campaign to root out corruption.<\/p>\n
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The arrest of Edgar Valdez Villarreal, alias “the Barbie,” was the culmination of yearlong intelligence operations, said Alejandro Poire, the government’s security spokesperson.<\/p>\n
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“This capture constitutes a blow of great impact against organized crime,” Poire said.<\/p>\n
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President Felipe Calderon also announced the capture on Twitter, calling Valdez “one of the most-wanted criminals in Mexico and abroad.” Calderon said operations to bring down this trafficking gang will continue.<\/p>\n
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Valdez, 37, was captured in the state of Mexico, which borders the capital of Mexico City, the Public Safety Department said in a statement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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