Mexican Drug Cartel Leader Arrested

The leader of one of Mexico’s most notorious drug cartels, La Familia, was arrested on Tuesday, according to media reports.

José de Jesús Méndez Vargas, also known as El Chango or The Monkey, was captured in the state of Aguascalientes. No one was injured in the process, reports say.

The Mexican police spokesman said they believe the arrest “destroys the command structure” of the La Familia gang.

The gang is notorious for being one of the most violent drug cartels in Mexico. In 2006, members from the gang rolled several decapitated heads onto a disco dance floor, bringing international attention to the gang’s violent nature.

La Familia, which started with the self-stated goal of protecting the gang’s hometown of Michoacana and fighting for the poor, has a quasi-religious character, sources say. The gang views its killings as the carrying out of “divine justice.”

Méndez took control of the gang after its former leader Nazario Moreno was killed by the Mexican federal police in December 2010.