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Authorities arrest suspected leader of a Mexican drug cartel

By the CNN Wire Staff
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Alleged Mexican drug kingpin arrested
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Police say he operated a drug route between Mexico and the United States
  • The State Department has offered a $5 million reward for his capture

(CNN) -- Authorities in Mexico have arrested Gilberto Barragan Balderas, one of the leaders of a powerful drug dealing group called the Gulf Cartel, police said.

Mexican police said they arrested him Friday in the border city of Reynosa.

He was also wanted in the United States, and the State Department had offered a $5 million reward for his capture.

Barragan Balderas, 41, was responsible for various drug trafficking operations to the United States via the border between Tamaulipas, Mexico, and Texas, police said.

Police learned that the suspect was going to attend a party Friday and used that information to locate him.

CNN's Esprit Smith contributed to this report