José Vázquez Villagrana, also known as “El jabalí,“ is behind bars tonight, as Mexican authority continue their seige on organized crime throughout the country side. Villagrana, a former member of the U.S. military, is the latest in a slew of recent arrests of cartel workers.

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Prosecutors in Mexico are questioning Mauricio Fernandez, the new mayor of Mexico’s wealthiest municipality, the Monterrey suburb of San Pedro Garza, for his alleged support of his residence in a move of vigilantism.

It is suspected that Hector Saldaña Perales, reputed chief of the Monterrey branch of the Beltran Leyva drug cartel, and three of his underlings were murdered by citizens taking the law into their own hands. The death was mentioned by the Mayor in an address to the public, hours before the body was found, further suggesting that the Mayor had prior knowledge of the incident.

While nothing has been proven as of yet, Federal Prosecutors are showing the public that they cannot, and will not stand for a lawless state, and that citizens taking matters into their own hands is simply not acceptable.

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While no loss of life is ideal in any situation, the streets of Mexico are safer tonight, as Braulio Arellano Dominguez, also known as “El Gonzo,” “Zeta 20″ or “El Verdugo,” is being reported dead.

The alleged drug czar was mortally wounded in a gun-fight with authorities, according CNN, during which he opened fire first. He was pronounced dead on the way to the hosptial.

According to www.CNN.com

“Officials said they confiscated five cars, four motorcycles, a submachine gun, a hand grenade, four pistols, more than 150 rounds of ammunition, communication equipment, three bags containing unspecified powder and pills, 74,900 pesos ($5,655) and $107 in U.S. currency.”

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A full on sweep for nearly two days has resulted in the arrests of more than 300 people on suspect of drug related charges.

In a joint effort between Mexican and U.S. authorities, Federal Agents rushed into action yesterday, dealing a serious blow to organized crime in the United States and in Mexico.

The sweep and indictments culminated a 44-month operation during which the Justice Department arrested about 1,200 people and seized nearly 12 tons of drugs as well as $32.8 million in U.S. currency.

To read the full Wall Street Journal story, click here.

Good news in the war on the drug cartels continues to pour in from Mexico, as officials announced a record-breaking seizure today.

37 tons of confiscated chemicals were seized before they could be turned into methamphetamine. The seizure took place in two stages, both close to the border of Texas.

Several arrests have been made in this record breaking bust, a major victory in President Felipe Calderon’s crusade against drugs and organized crime.

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“The U.S. and Mexico are making headway in the ongoing struggle to curb the flow of illegal drugs, cash and weapons across the border, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday.”

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According to a recent LA Times article, violence is Mexico is down significantly from the levels that it used to see.

The calculated efforts by Mexican authorities to combat the swell of Cartel trade and activity has resulted in skirmishes throughout the countryside, but on the whole, violence is down throughout the nation, as the war on drugs appears to be working in many respects.

A decade ago, there were approximately 16 registered homicides per 100,000 residents. Now, that number is down to 11 / 100,000, a significant improvement over the 1997 number - according to the LA Times.

To read the full LA Times story, please click here.