Mexican gang member ‘fled country in fear of death’
A member of one of Mexico's violent drug cartels was fleeing the country in fear of "certain death", according to new court reports.
The Associated Press has revealed that a high-ranking member of the Gulf cartel's Matamoros operations was trying to get away from being killed by rivals when he was caught near the Rio Grande carrying a gold-plated handgun, cocaine and about $20,000 (£12,700).
Legal documents showed that Jose Luis Zuniga Hernandez, known as "Comandante Wicho", told important information about the cartel to federal agents and admitted his role in the trafficking of drugs.
Attorney Guillermo Vega Jr stated: "Zuniga was told that if he did not cooperate and confess he would be immediately deported to Mexico to face certain death. Zuniga was not allowed to sleep for hours."
He added that the man in question was isolated and pressured to answer questions relating to the criminal affairs of the gang.
This latest information comes shortly after one of the leading figures of the Los Zetas cartel was arrested by US and Mexican officials.
