Mexico captures Beltran Leyva drug cartel suspect linked to 109 killings

Mexico catches cartel suspect linked to 109 deaths

MEXICO CITY — Mexican police say they have captured a suspected lieutenant of the Beltran Leyva drug cartel linked to more than 109 execution-style killings.

The Public Safety department says Jesus Basilio Araujo is also known by the nickname “The Chicken.”

It said Sunday in a statement that Araujo allegedly worked for an aide to drug lord Arturo Beltran Leyva, who died Wednesday in a shootout with Navy personnel.

The statement did not say if Araujo’s detention Friday was linked to the gunbattle. He was arrested in a town near where the clash occurred.

Araujo was allegedly responsible for a series of killings of rival traffickers and others. Many of the bodies bore messages referring to “The Boss of Bosses,” Beltran Leyva’s nickname.