Arrest of “La Troca” Demonstrates Continuous Commitment of the Calderon Administration to Fight Drug Trafficking

Mexico City | August 3, 2009

“Today’s announcement of the arrest of Miguel Angel Beraza Villa, aka ‘La Troca’ by Mexico’s federal police leaves no doubt about the determination of President Calderon’s administration to fight drug trafficking and organized crime.

“Miguel Angel Beraza Villa was detained along with 32 other alleged criminals in Apatzingan, Mexico, Saturday, August 1. He is believed to be one of the main distributors of the synthetic drug ‘ice’ or ‘crystal’ for La Familia Michoacana.

“Mexican law enforcement officials and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency have also identified Beraza Villa as the individual who took over the cartel duties of Arnoldo Rueda Medina, aka ‘La Minsa,’ who was arrested in late July by the Secretariat of Public Security.

“Beraza Villa used trucks transporting agricultural products from Michoacan to smuggle drug shipments into the United States. He worked directly for Jesus Mendez Vargas, aka ‘Chango Mendez’ and Nazario Moreno Gonzalez, aka ‘Chayo.’

“The U.S. government lauds this, and other actions of the Calderon administration in the fight against drugs and organized crime, and stands by its commitment to cooperate in this struggle against a common enemy that threatens the security of peoples of both nations.”