Alleged 'El Chapo' henchman arrested in Mexico

CIUDAD JUáREZ, Mexico, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Mexico's Attorney General's Office said one of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's most wanted fugitives accused of working for Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel has been arrested.

The fugitive -- identified by the DEA as Luis Arellano-Romero -- was captured by Mexico's Criminal Investigation Agency in Ciudad Juárez, which borders the U.S. city of El Paso, Texas.

Mexico's Attorney General's Office charged the fugitive with crimes of illicit association, organized crime, crimes against public health, money laundering and firearms trafficking. He was taken to Mexico City "where he will continue the proceedings against him," the Attorney General's Office said in a statement released Sunday.

In the United States, the DEA said Arellano-Romero is wanted for "conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance" in the Western District of Texas.

In 2012, Arellano-Romero was indicted in absentia along with Guzman and 22 other alleged high-ranking Sinaloa Cartel members in Texas.

"Murder, kidnapping, money laundering, and drug trafficking are the four corners of this organization's foundation," U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman said in a previous statement. "For years, their violence, ruthlessness, and complete disregard for human life and the rule of law have greatly impacted the citizens of the Republic of Mexico and the United States. They must be held accountable for their criminal actions."

Mexican officials did not disclose details of a possible extradition.