JUAREZ, Mexico, July 31 (UPI) -- Law enforcement officials in the United States said a reputed leader of a Juarez drug cartel was in the custody of Mexican authorities this weekend.
The El Paso (Texas) Times said U.S. officials did not provide any details on the arrest of Jose Antonio Acosta Hernandez, a ranking leader of the La Linea drug ring who is under indictment for the slayings of three Americans from the U.S. Consulate in the border city.
Mexican authorities say Acosta has been a particularly ruthless player in the Juarez drug trade over the years. He is accused of ordering gunmen to shoot up a birthday party last year that left 15 young people dead.
Acosta was captured Friday after a shootout in Chihuahua City neighborhood. He is the highest-ranking member of the Juarez cartel to be arrested since 2008, the Times said.
The newspaper said La Linea has reputedly been getting more vocal and direct in its challenges to American narcotics agents working in Juarez. Graffiti has been popping up in the city warning the "gringos of the DEA" to back off.
