Civilians in the Crossfire in Battles Following Drug Lord Capture

Today’s arrest of one or more suspected drug traffickers in Mexico’s northeastern state of Tamaulipas has once again unleashed mayhem in the streets. Authorities boasted the capture of Jose Maya, also known as “El Chive”, a leader of the powerful Gulf Cartel, one of the oldest organized crime organizations in the business of transporting drugs to the United States. The arrest that took place in the city of Altamira comes days after the arrest of Jose Hernandez, “El Gafe,” of the same cartel, in the border city of Reynosa. In both cases gang members burned vehicles and attacked the police in what seemed to be an attempt to free their captured leaders. Officials say there are eleven cells of the Gulf Cartel that dominate the region, and recent battles for territory among internal factions, along with battles against security forces and the powerful Zetas Cartel, have put civilians in the crossfire. Clayton Conn reports from Mexico for teleSUR.