Drug lord captured at party

MEXICO CITY – Mexican federal police captured a leading member of the Gulf drug cartel Friday at what appeared to have been his birthday party, authorities said.

Gilberto Barragan Balderas “is considered one of the main leaders of the Gulf Cartel” and is the subject of a $5 million reward by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, said Ramon Pequeno, head of anti-drug operations for the federal police.

Barragan Balderas was allegedly in charge of the cartel’s operations in Miguel Aleman, across the border from Roma, Texas. Police captured him at a party at a ranch near another border city, Reynosa, which is across from McAllen, Texas.

Police said the party was apparently in honor of Barragan Balderas’ May 19 birthday. Two alleged associates were also arrested in the raid, which also netted an assault rifle and three pistols.

Barragan Balderas, 41, is wanted on drug trafficking charges in the United States under a 2008 indictment.