Mexican police arrest suspected drug kingpin

ARLINGTON, Virginia (CNN) -- The federal Drug Enforcement Administration Saturday announced the arrest of a man it described as the head of Mexico's leading drug cartel, Benjamin Arellano-Felix, in Puebla, Mexico.

DEA Administrator Asa Hutchinson also confirmed the death of Arellano's brother, Ramon, in a shootout February 10 in the Mexican resort town of Mazatlan. He had been on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list.

Mexican authorities carried out the arrest without U.S. participation, Hutchinson said.

"The DEA has long considered Ramon Arellano-Felix, along with his brothers Benjamin, Eduardo and Javier, a top priority," Hutchinson said last month.

"The Arellano-Felix brothers' organization (AFO) make up one of the most powerful, violent, and aggressive drug trafficking organizations in the world."

Based in Tijuana, the AFO is responsible for transporting, importing and distributing multi-ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana as well as large quantities of heroin and methamphetamine, the DEA said.

Ramon Arellano-Felix, believed to be the most violent brother, organized and coordinated security for the AFO, according to the DEA.

During the past decade, the group is alleged to have killed hundreds of drug rivals, police officials, prosecutors and judges.