March 13 (UPI) -- Silvano Aureoles Conejo, governor of Mexico's Michoacán state, on Monday said security forces arrested Gilberto "El Chanda" Gómez Romero, a lieutenant of the Los H3, or Third Brotherhood, cartel.
During a speech at the Valladolid military barracks in the state capital of Morelia, Aureoles Conejo said Gómez Romero's arrest on Sunday is an example by Michoacán's authorities to provide security to the public, El Universal reported.
Aureoles Conejo said a fundamental task for the development of Michoacán is to guarantee security, adding that its people will not be held hostage to specific interests or criminal organizations.
Aureoles Conejo praised the "the value and commitment of the police" following the arrest of Gómez Romero -- one of the most wanted men in Mexico.
Gómez Romero is accused of carrying out extortion, homicide, kidnapping and other illegal activity. Mexican security forces began the search for Gómez Romero after a gunfight in the town of Cuatro Caminos. Authorities later arrested him without incident at a restaurant in the Nueva Italia de Ruiz municipality, officials said.
The Los H3 cartel, which came from a splintering in the La Familia Michoacana cartel, is led by Luis "El Americano" Antonio Torres.
