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Cartel leader, one of Mexico’s most wanted, arrested

Mexico City, Mexico — A man considered the leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel has been taken into police custody. Cartel leader José Antonio Yépez, who is also known as El Marro, was arrested Sunday and transferred to a maximum security prison Monday night.

“El Marro has been captured. In a coordinated operation by federal and state forces, his capture has been finalized and the release of a kidnapped businesswoman has been achieved,” announced the Attorney General of the state of Guanajuato.

News of his arrest was acknowledged by many including Christopher Landau, the US Ambassador to Mexico.

“Excellent news to start this Sunday: the capture of the criminal El Marro in Guanajuato. Criminals think they are alive and ready, but in the end the good guys always win. Long live the rule of law!” he posted on social media.

The Ministry of National Defense reported the arrest was made Sunday, adding that along with José Antonio Yépez, eight others were taken into custody in the municipality of Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas, among them, the alleged head of security for the cartel.

Yépez, who had been on Mexico’s most wanted list, has since been transferred to Puentecillas, a maximum security prison in Guanajuato. José Antonio Yépez, leader of Cártel de Santa Rosa de Lima, was wanted on charges of organized crime and extortion.