Pubdate: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA) Copyright: 2002 San Jose Mercury News Contact: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390 Author: Kevin G. Hall, Knight Ridder MEXICO HAILS ARREST OF TRAFFICKER Officials: Leader's Tijuana Cartel Moved Up To 40% Of Cocaine In U.S. MEXICO CITY - Soldiers captured the leader of Mexico's most violent drug cartel early Saturday, putting ``out of business'' the organization believed responsible for smuggling as much as 40 percent of all cocaine consumed in the United States, Mexican officials said. Benjamin Arellano Felix, 49, was described by a U.S. law enforcement officer as the chief executive officer of the cartel, which officials say has killed more than 300 rivals, police officers, judges and politicians. Arellano Felix was the most-wanted drug trafficker in the United States and Mexico, a man with the legendary status of gangsters such as Al Capone. He was captured at 1 a.m. in a house in Puebla, 65 miles south of the capital, Defense Secretary Ricardo Clemente Vega and Attorney General Rafael Macedo de la Concha announced. No shots were fired. The officials also confirmed the death of Ramon Arellano Felix, 37, one of Benjamin Arellano Felix's five brothers and the cartel's enforcer. Named on the FBI's 10-most-wanted list, Ramon Arellano Felix is believed to have been killed last month by a rival. The cartel ``is totally out of business,'' Macedo said. Mexican President Vicente Fox said the arrest proved that his government is ``working with seriousness'' in cracking down on the drug trade. In Washington, Drug Enforcement administrator Asa Hutchinson said the United States wants Arellano Felix extradited to face drug and money-laundering charges in California. Friday, 22 people suspected of working for or with the cartel in the United States were arrested in Denver, San Diego and Minneapolis. The arrest of one brother and the apparent death of another represent ``one of the biggest victories Mexico has seen for law over lawlessness,'' Hutchinson said. The Arellano Felix brothers began trafficking drugs more than two decades ago, moving marijuana grown in mountains near the Pacific Coast resort city of Mazatlan. They later partnered with Colombian cocaine traffickers and grew to control the largest portion of the illicit trade into the United States. Hard numbers are impossible to come by, but the DEA estimates that the Tijuana cartel moved anywhere from one-third to 40 percent of the cocaine used in the United States. ``Benjamin is the CEO,'' said a U.S. law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ``These guys have lasted a long time. They rule by terror. They pay a hefty sum in bribes. We feel, conservatively, that they probably give out $75 million annually in bribes.'' Benjamin Arellano Felix is the second brother in custody. Francisco Arellano Felix is serving time for drug and weapons charges. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek