Gang Leader Arrested in México

Fox News Latino
November 30, 2010

The supposed leader of a notorious drug gang in México has been captured, authorities said Tuesday.

José Alfredo Landa, 37, who officials say ran a sect of the La Familia, was arrested on Monday along with three other suspects, federal police said.

Ramón Pequeño, the anti-narcotics chief, said police surrounded a house in which Landa, who was in charge of the gang’s operations in Morelia, the capital of Michoacán, was staying. Police seized AK-47s and other weapons, and said Landa was in possession of more than two dozen property titles and other documents he had been using to extort homeowners.

Landa and La Familia made a bizarre offer to the government recently. It would disband if the government proves it can protect citizens from other criminals in a western state, according to reports.

The government of President Felipe Calderón, who chose Michoacán as the first battleground when he deployed tens of thousands of soldiers to fight cartels in 2006, has ignored the letter and refused to comment on its authenticity. Landa was the second suspected La Familia leader arrested since the cartel made its offer in letters dropped on streets and e-mailed to journalists.