MATAMOROS, Mexico, April 5 (UPI) -- Suspected Gulf Cartel regional leader in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, José Sánchez García, was arrested by Mexico's federal police.
He was detained Thursday in the city of Matamoros, according to National Security Commissioner Monte Alejandro Rubido.
Sánchez García is accused of playing a role in kidnappings, murders, extortion and drug trafficking. He is also connected to the assassination of Homero Villarreal González, Director of Transit and Public Safety of the municipality of Villa Aldama, who was killed in August.
Sánchez García is also suspected of the abduction of two federal agents.
"It is noteworthy that in 2010... Sánchez García began in the criminal structure that rapidly escalated the level of aggressiveness with which he acted," Alejandro Rubido said at a press conference. "Under his leadership came to be at least seven groups of gunmen, characterized by high levels of violence and who acted mainly in the municipalities of Aldama, Soto la Marina and Abasolo -- all in Tamaulipas."
Sánchez García had been a priority target for federal authorities since January this year.
The Mexican state of Tamaulipas has long hosted drug violence, including shootouts in public places. The violence has been attributed to rivaling factions of the Gulf Cartel.
