Police: Drug suspect is violent leader

TIJUANA, Mexico, June 15 (UPI) -- Mexican officials say a drug suspect arrested in Tijuana was one of the leaders in a war between two gangs that led to 749 killings last year.

Jose Filiberto Parra Ramos was captured Wednesday, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Sunday. The National Defense Secretariat described him as "extremely violent" and said he was involved in a street fight last year that caused 13 deaths.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Parra was one of two top lieutenants to Eduardo Teodoro Garcia Simental. His job description allegedly included drug shipment, overseeing retail dealers and kidnapping and extortion.

Jorge Chabat of Mexico City, who studies drug cartels, said arresting top leaders like Parra makes drug-trafficking groups less effective.

"They're replaced each time by people with less experience, and that makes them less efficient and more violent," he said.