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Mexico nabs most-wanted drug cartel leader Servando Gomez

By Amy R. Connolly
Knights Templar drug cartel leader Servando "La Tuta" Gomez was detained by Mexican authorities. Photo courtesy Secretaria de Seguridad Publica
Knights Templar drug cartel leader Servando "La Tuta" Gomez was detained by Mexican authorities. Photo courtesy Secretaria de Seguridad Publica

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Mexican authorities have detained Knights Templar drug cartel leader Servando Gomez, the country's most-wanted fugitive whose gang is known for its violent reign over western Mexico.

Gomez, 49, was captured without resistance early Friday in Morelia, the capital of Michoacán, located about 135 miles west of Mexico City, federal police said.

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Also known as "La Tuta," Gomez was the leader of the Knights Templar, which has controlled the politics and commerce in the western state for years. He evaded police for more than a year after the government took back the state to restore order.

Michoacán has long been the central point of Mexico's drug war. In the past year, vigilante groups gathered to fend off violence from the drug cartel. The Mexican government also sent forces to the region. The Mexican government had a $2 million bounty on Gomez.

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