Nine dead in Mexico in clashes after arrest of drug lord

MEXICO CITY: Nine people died in clashes between rival drug gangs in Mexico after police arrested a powerful drug lord in the northwestern city of Culiacán, the German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

Eight people were also injured by gunfire and 14 others were kidnapped, the Attorney General's Office of the state of Sinaloa said on Wednesday.

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, one of the leaders of the Sinaloa drug cartel, was flown to the United States against his will by a rival at the end of July.

Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera, who is imprisoned in the United States, had previously reached an agreement with the US Department of Justice regarding his own extradition, according to official information.

Both arrived in the USA at the same time in a private jet and were arrested by the police. Now a gang war has broken out in Sinaloa between the two rival factions of the cartel, led by Zambada's heirs and the sons of “El Chapo”.

Suspected gang members blocked streets in the city of Culiacán with burning trucks. According to the authorities, citizens were also attacked or caught in the crossfire.

Around 100 soldiers, attack helicopters and aircraft with artillery were deployed to the region.

– Bernama, dpa