Mexican marines have captured the suspected leader of the notorious Zetas drug cartel Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, authorities in Mexico reported on Monday (July 15).

Trevino Morales, alias "Z-40", was captured in the northern border city of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas early on Monday (July 15) morning in a dramatic operation by armed forces.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Eduardo Sanchez told media the alleged Zetas druglord is wanted for a host of crimes such as torture, murder and arms smuggling.

Security experts said Trevino Morales, who was born in Nuevo Laredo, took over the Zetas after Marines shot dead the cartel's former commander in October 2012. Although he lacked a military background, Trevino had a reputation for extreme violence.

The suspected Zetas head was captured after surveillance operations of dirt tracks connecting Mexico's border states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas.

Trevino Morales was detained close to border city of Nuevo Laredo in a dramatic operation by armed forces.

The capture of the Zetas chief is a victory for the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto who has vowed to change focus on Mexico's drug war and reduce a staggering death toll that has killed some 70,000 people under predecessor Felipe Calderon.

Presented by Adam Justice

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