Authorities in Mexico announced Wednesday the arrest of one of the country's most-wanted drug traffickers, accused of controlling the flow of illicit substances through Monterrey. The announcement of Hector Huerta Rios' capture came just hours before U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in the Mexican capital for talks that are likely to focus on the Mexican government's ongoing struggle against violent drug cartels. Clinton is scheduled to travel to Monterrey on Thursday. Huerta Rios, on of 37 most-wanted drug suspects, was captured Tuesday, according Army Gen. Luis Arturo Oliver. “We have information that as the representative of the Beltran Leyva cartel he held meetings with members of the Gulf cartel with the aim of agreeing on drug distribution zones, in order to avoid clashes between the rival gangs,” said Marisela Morales, the federal deputy attorney general for organized crime. The Mexican government announced its list of 37 most-wanted – 24 drug lords and 13 deputies – on Monday. They offered rewards of up to $2 million for information leading to the arrest of senior drug leaders – including Huerta Rios, and up to $1 million for lieutenants, though it was not immediately known if a reward was paid. Four other suspects were arrested along with Huerta Rios.
