Alleged drug chief arrested in Mexico

A man accused in San Diego with drug charges has been arrested in Baja California, Mexico, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Monday.

The alleged lieutenant in the Arrellano-Felix Organization, Gilberto Higuera-Guerrero, faces charges in the Southern District of California, including conspiracy to import and distributed a controlled substance and money laundering.

The arrest was part of "Operation United Eagles," a U.S.-Mexican fugitive apprehension effort that has led to significant arrests of major figures leading the remnants of the Arrellano-Felix Drug Trafficking Organization, the DEA said.

The DEA said the combined successes of Mexican and U.S. law enforcement have further weakened an already disrupted criminal organization once known for its violent stronghold on drug trafficking and enabled once fearful witnesses to come forward and assist law enforcement.

Gilberto Higuera-Gerrero is the brother of Ismael Higuera-Guerrero, former senior lieutenant for the AFO, the DEA said. Ismael Higuera-Guerrero, acting under the direction of his brother Gilberto, allegedly supervised the AFO's Mexicali operations.

© Copyright 2004 by United Press International