United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WASHINGTON - DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart today issued this statement following the capture of Hector Beltran-Leyva:

"One of the world's biggest drug empires continues to crumble with the capture of Hector Beltran-Leyva in Mexico. Much of the violence and lawlessness that has plagued Mexico can be traced to this criminal regime.  Beltran-Leyva’s organization smuggled countless amounts of lethal and highly addictive drugs into the United States and other parts of the world, facilitating addiction, violence, and death.  DEA congratulates the Government of Mexico and the brave individuals who carried out this operation and we pledge our continued commitment to the relentless pursuit of global drug traffickers."