Two Found Hanging from Bridge in Cuernavaca

Drug gang hangs two from bridge near Mexico City

Cuernavaca, Morelos – Suspected drug hitmen hung the bodies of two men off a major bridge on Friday in a weekend get-away near Mexico City in the latest brazen act of drug violence near the capital.

The two men were found stripped to the waist and hung by the neck from the bridge near a shopping mall early Friday morning in Cuernavaca, said the attorney general's office for Morelos state, which includes the city.

Mexican media reported the hitmen riddled the bodies with bullets before fleeing the scene.

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Military and Police were Protecting "El Barbas"

The protection system of el capo of the Beltran Leyva cartel included informants within the military, ministerial and municipal police forces and sicarios with the key calssifications like Zafiros and Halcones who moved in vehicles or taxis throughout the city.

CUERNAVACA, Mor.— Mexico's Navy located and dismantled at least four rings of security that protected Arturo Beltran Leyva, El Barbas, who was eventually gun down in an operation that was implemented for his capture last Wednesday.

The protection system of el capo of the Beltran Leyva cartel included informants within the military, ministerial and municipal police forces and sicarios designated under the key names of Zafiros and Halcones who moved around in vehicles or taxis throughout the city.

His inner circle of security escorts was composed of the most hardened sicaros who always guarded him and who were killed during the clash in Punta Vista Hermosa Altitude a community in Cuernavaca, Morelos.

All this information is according to the official files of the PGR/SIEDO/UEIDCS/166/2009 of the Deputy Attorney General Specialized Investigation of Organized Crime (SIEDO).

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Who will Fill the Void of the Beltrán Leyva Cártel?

Even after the death of Arturo Beltran Leyva, "El Barbas," his criminal organization has lieutenants and four operational heads that still direct operations, according to the information that federal authorities gave.

The Sinaloan capo had two right arms of leaders of sicarios: Sergio Villarreal Barragán, "El Grande" and Edgar Valdez Villarreal, "La Barbie."

Known for his nearly 6 feet 5 inches in height, "El Grande" has served in the last year as operator of "El Barbas" in Mexico City and Morelos.

His primarily responsibility has been pursuing and eliminating rivals cartel members, creating terror to control towns, and Beltran Leyva decided to take it him in the organization when after in 2006 he was able to control within a few months the region of La Laguna.

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Arturo Beltrán Leyva's Death in Media

In pictures the death of Arturo Beltrán Leyva, "El Jefe de Jefes."



Video: Arturo Beltran Leyva is killed in Cuernavaca

The capo barricaded himself in his apartment and died along with six of his sicarios in a battle with the Navy

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Death of Capo Could Spark Bloodshed

Mexican kingpin’s death could spark bloodshed.
Arturo Beltran Leyva's slaying leaves a power vacuum in crime syndicate.

Associated Press

Apparent body of drugpin Arturo Beltran Leyva.

CUERNAVACA, Mexico - Mexican troops acting on information from U.S. officials took out drug kingpin Arturo Beltran Leyva in an assault that provided a rare victory for President Felipe Calderon but left a power vacuum that could lead to more violence.

In a carefully executed attack, heavily armed Mexican marines quietly evacuated an upscale apartment complex in Cuernavaca Wednesday before some 200 troops stormed the building and demanded the surrender of Beltran Leyva, one of the world's most brutal drug lords.

Gunmen fired on the marines who then launched an attack that lasted nearly two hours.

Nicknamed the "boss of bosses," Beltran Leyva is the biggest drug lord to be taken down in Calderon's drug war, which is ending its bloodiest year yet. His absence is expected to shake up Mexico's narcotics trafficking networks eager to take over his billion-dollar business, as well as set off an internal struggle within his gang, said Mexico's Attorney General Arturo Chavez.

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The Jefe de Jefes Falls

The Mexican Navy Confirms that the capo "el Jefe de jefes" was killed in a fire fight this afternoon with military of the Mexican Navy in a condo complex named, "Altitude." Four of his bodyguards were also killed.

Cuernavaca, Morelia - Arturo Beltran Leyva capo of the Beltran cartel and one of the reputed Beltran Leyva brothers operating in northern Mexico was killed yesterday in Cuernavaca in a clash with naval soldiers (equivalent to U.S. Marines).

The Mexican government had listed Arturo Beltran Leyva as one of its 24 most-wanted drug lords and had offered a $2.1 million reward for his capture.

He was one of 10 suspected cartel leaders named in a U.S. federal indictment in August on drug trafficking and conspiracy charges. In a press statement at the time Justice Department said Beltran Leyva was "among the most powerful drug traffickers in Mexico."

According to navy sources, the capo "El Jefe de Jefes" fell along with four of his bodyguards, after a firefight that originated inside the housing complex, "Altitudes."

According to early versions from the Secretary of the Navy, four gunmen were killed and one of the gang members killed himself as he was being arrested. His brother, known as Mario Alberto Leyva or Hector Leyva and also a top capo leader of the cartel was also killed.

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