MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A Mexican judge ordered Edgar “La Barbie” Valdez, believed to be one of the country’s top drug bosses, held for 40 more days of investigation, the federal prosecutor’s office said yesterday.
Valdez, a 37-year-old Texan who was arrested outside Mexico City late last month, is the highest-ranking suspected drug cartel leader captured alive since the country’s drug war erupted in late 2006.
The extended detention period allows prosecutors more time to build their case against Valdez and seven other people who were arrested at the same time.
Valdez had been a contender to take over the Beltran Leyva cartel. A violent struggle for control of the gang erupted after its leader, Arturo Beltran Leyva, was slain in a shootout with Mexican forces in December as some members sided with Valdez against Beltran Leyva’s brother.
