Major Juárez crime boss captured - leader of La Linea extortion and execution squad

The game's over for "El mil amores" - the man of a thousand loves - and 3 associates

Two days ago I reported on Mexico's extradition to the U.S of a suspect involved with the brutal March 2010 murders of Lesley Ann Enriquez (Catton) and her husband Arthur Redelfs (http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/mexico-extradites-suspect-in-brutal.html). The couple were attacked by a hit squad on a busy street in Juárez after attending a birthday party with their seven month old daughter. They tried to reach the international bridge crossing to get back to their home in El Paso, but didn't quite make it. Both were shot to death at close range in their car. Lesley, four months pregnant, was an employee of the U.S. consulate in Juárez, and Arthur was a 10 year veteran of the El Paso County Sheriff's Dept. Their little girl survived unhurt in the backseat.

The man responsible for that monstrous attack was José Antonio Acosta Hernández, 33, known as "El Diego." He was captured by Mexican security forces on July 26. As I reported in the earlier post, Hernández built a name for himself as a contract killer for the Juárez Cartel, and created an organization, known as La Linea, which specialized in extortion and kidnappings for ransom. He is in custody awaiting extradition to the United States, where he will face murder and numerous other federal criminal charges in Texas.

El Diego was succeeded by an equally violent man, Julio César Pérez, who became the new boss of La Linea. Late this evening Mexican news sources reported that César Pérez was himself captured earlier today in Juárez. And here perhaps is the best evidence of the power of organized crime in this country. Authorities were so worried that confederates of César Pérez would attempt to storm the local jail where he is being held in an effort to rescue him, that they called out dozens of local police officers to block off streets in the area, and called for reinforcements from the Mexican army to assist with guard duty. Further proof that Juárez has earned its reputation as the world's most dangerous city.

The good news is that this is the third really significant take down of a powerful cartel figure in the past five days. Mexican forces are on a roll, and will end 2011 on a high note.