Mexican Authorities Catch An Alleged Drug Cartel Member Trafficking Human Organs

TIJUANA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 31: Mexican security officials stand guard outside of a factory where a drug tunnel was discovered leading into the United States on October 31, 2013 in Tijuana, Mexico. The tunnel was discovered last night just south of the Otay Mesa border crossing in a business park area. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) (2013 Getty Images)

MEXICO CITY (AP) – Police in Mexico's western state of Michoacan detained an alleged member of the Knights Templar cartel, saying he is suspected of trafficking organs.

Michoacan state Public Safety Secretary Carlos Castellanos Becerra alleged that Manuel Plancarte Gaspar was part of a cartel ring that would target people with certain characteristics, especially children, for kidnapping and harvesting organs.

He did not give any specifics or present cases. He said investigators are looking into alleged cases that occurred in previous years.

"We have several statements in open investigations," Castellenos said at a news conference Monday.

Plancarte Gaspar, 34, was detained last week along with another suspect in a stolen car. The men were carrying cash and crystal meth, Castellanos Becerra said. He said Plancarte Gaspar is the nephew of Enrique Plancarte Solis, a top Knights Templar leader.

The federal government generally handles cases of trafficking that have to do with cartels, such as drugs and in the case of the Knights Templar, iron ore.

Federal officials were not immediately available for comment Monday, which was a holiday in Mexico.

Mexican authorities have said drug trafficking is no longer the top source of income for the Knights Templar, which was once a top producer of crystal meth. The officials say the cartel's main sources of income are illegal mining, illegal logging and extortion.

Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino
Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino