A key figure in Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel has been arrested in the northern city of Culiacan, the Mexican military said.
José Ángel Canobio, known by the nickname Gerito (little blond), is suspected of being the right-hand man and head of security for Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán, the son of previously convicted drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzmán.
Canobi's arrest is a major blow to the Sinaloa cartel, Mexican police say.
The arrests came just hours after the United States designated the group a foreign terrorist organization, and the administration of US President Donald Trump believes the practice will help fight crime.
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The US State Department added the Sinaloa cartel to the list:
- Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG);
- Zalivski kartel;
- Northeast Cartel;
- United Cartel;
- A new Michoacán family;
- Aragva Train Group;
- MS-13.
Apart from the last two groups mentioned, all the others are from Mexico, and the Mexican government is under great pressure from the White House to step up the fight against them and the smuggling of the synthetic drug fentanyl that these cartels are involved in.
Mexican police hope that Canobi's arrest will be a step forward in demonstrating their commitment to fighting drug trafficking.
Canobio was convicted in absentia in a US federal court in Chicago in November last year for allegedly smuggling fentanyl into the country.
The verdict states that he was the main advisor and head of security for Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, who took over the management of the Sinaloa Cartel when his father was transferred to prison.
Canobio played a key role in smuggling fentanyl into America, says David Saucedo, a security expert.
He is expected to be extradited to the United States soon, Sausedo told Mexican radio station Formula.
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