(Vatican Radio) One of the founding members of the fearsome Zetas drug cartel, has
been shot dead along with four comrades, during a gun battle with the Mexican Army
in the State of Tamaulipas, bordering Texas.
Galindo Mellado Cruz who was
known as Z9, was one of the original 30 founding members of the Zetas. On the run
after a jail break, he was tracked down by the Mexican Army and shot dead in a gun
battle. Forensic experts have formally identified his body. A Tamaulipas State Official
confirms he wasn't part of the Zetas' current leadership.
The Zetas were Mexican
Army Special Forces, who received specialist training by the US and Israeli military.
This involved sniping, ambush, rapid deployment, intelligence gathering, explosives,
evasion and counter surveillance techniques. They deserted in 1999, to become bodyguards
and assassins for the Gulf drug cartel, but split off in 2010 in a bloody turf war
to form their own cartel. Experts say the Zetas now have a presence throughout Mexico,
as well as in Guatemala, the United States and in Italy.
Listen to
the report by correspondent James Blears: