Leader of the Guerreros Unidos cartel arrested

The Mexican military and Federal Police reported the arrest of 51-year-old Nicolás Nájera Salgado, the supposed leader of the Guerreros Unidos cartel, in the state of Morelos.

The detainee has been identified as a member of the inner circle of the Casarrubias Salgado siblings, leaders of the organization. Following the arrest of Gildardo López Astudillo, known as "Cabo Gil," in September 2015, Nájera Salgado took the leadership of the gang in the municipality of Iguala.

"There are indications that this subject decided to create a new cell (called 'Espartacos') within the criminal group with focus on Iguala, Buenavista de Cuellar and Huitzuco ... With drug production and trafficking operation, in addition to the extortion to merchants," explained a source close to the case.

Intelligence teams detected the suspect while conducting operations from a wooden area in the municipality of Huitzilac, Morelos.

According to the source, surveillance tours were conducted in the area and on Monday the suspect was detected while driving. When stopped he presented a false driver's licence and was fully identified. Nájera Salgado was found in possession of three 9 mm magazines.

His arrest is of particular importance for the investigation of the disappearance of 43 teachers in training in Iguala on September  26, 2014.