Mexico: Former top drug official busted

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Mexico's former top anti-drug official has been accused of accepting nearly half a million dollars in bribes from drug cartel leaders.

Noe Ramirez, Mexico's one-time drug czar, was accused Wednesday of accepting $450,000 in bribes from a leading drug cartel to inform the criminal organization of anti-drug operations, El Universal reported online.

Ramirez was detained ahead of a further government investigation of corruption in the anti-drug operation in which a cartel member is reportedly cooperating.