DEA Arrests Top La Familia Cartel Member

Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested a key member of La Familia Michoacana, one of Mexico's most ruthless and violent drug cartels, acting Administrator Michele Leonhart announced today.

"The arrest in Mexico of Miguel Angel Berraza Villa (a.k.a. 'La Troca'), a high-ranking lieutenant in the La Familia drug cartel, is the result of the resolute partnership between the DEA and Mexican law enforcement," Leonhart said. "Together with our Mexican counterparts, we will continue attacking the La Familia cartel, which not only controls the methamphetamine supply in several U.S. cities, but also has been the source of unprecedented violence in Michoacan, including the recent kidnapping and murder of 12 federal police officers."

At approximately 7 p.m. local time on Aug. 1, Mexican police detained La Troca (The Truck) and Salomon Figueroa-Harrison, a cartel associate, in Apatzingan, Michoacan.

La Troca was identified as a significant meth trafficker based in Apatzingan, Michoacan, according to the agency.  DEA and Mexican law enforcement officials had identified him as the individual who took over the cartel duties of Arnoldo Rueda Medina (a.k.a. "La Minsa") who was arrested in late July by Secretaria de Seguridad Publica (SSP).