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'El Chito,' leader of Mexican drug cartel, arrested in Juarez

By Eric DuVall
Miguel Angel Amaya Loya, known by the street name “El Chito,” is seen in this government handout photo after his arrest Thursday night in Juarez. Photo courtesy of Mexican government
Miguel Angel Amaya Loya, known by the street name “El Chito,” is seen in this government handout photo after his arrest Thursday night in Juarez. Photo courtesy of Mexican government

April 28 (UPI) -- The Mexican government arrested the leader of the La Linea drug cartel and recovered a stash of narcotics after a raid in the border city of Juarez, authorities said.

Miguel Angel Amaya Loya, known by the street name "El Chito," was arrested along with a top lieutenant, the Mexican government said. Federal agents raided two homes in the city. They also recovered a package of cocaine and a 4 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside a bathroom wall in one of the homes, according to a statement by the federal government. A cache of weapons was also recovered.

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La Linea has decreased in its size and reach after a drawn-out drug war with Mexico's biggest cartel, Sinaloa, though it still maintains a large hand in the drug trade in Mexico's Chihuahua region. The cartel is suspected of being behind numerous executions and controls up to 60 percent of the drug trade in the area, the government said.

Both Loya and Saul Rodriguez, the other cartel leader arrested, are being held in Mexico City. They face likely extradition to the United States, where a warrant for their arrest has been issued in Texas.

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