Mexican drug lord possibly killed by navy

A man thought to have been a founder and the primary leader of the Zetas, one of the most violent criminal and drug gangs in Mexico, may have been killed by the Mexican Navy.

In a statement released on Monday evening, the navy said that two men were killed in a battle between marines and men armed with guns and grenades.

One of the men bore “strong signs” of being El Lazca, the main leader of the Zetas, whose name is Heriberto Lazcano.

Lazcano deserted from an elite Mexican Army unit more than a decade ago along with other former Special Forces operatives from Mexico and Guatemala to establish, train and recruit armed men to serve as enforcers for the powerful Gulf Cartel which later split off.

Forensic tests are currently underway to positively identify the men but this possible death led to the most-watched evening newscast reporting the possibility that Lazcano had been killed.

President Felipe Calderón may have had his biggest victory against drug and organised crime groups should this death be confirmed.

The Zetas are one of Mexico’s two or three largest criminal groups known for their butchery, beheadings and mutilations to intimidate and murder those unwilling to follow their orders.

Lazcano, also known by the nickname the Executioner, is wanted by American law enforcement for drug trafficking and related charges, with a $5 million reward on his head.