Mexican cartel leader killed in shootout with police after escaping prison
Intelligence forces tracked down 'El Neto' to the border town of Ciudad Juárez after his escape from prison
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A Mexican cartel leader was killed in a shootout with police early Thursday, days after a violent escape from prison, according to reports.
Intelligence forces tracked down Ernesto Alfredo Pinon de la Cruz – known as "El Neto" – in the border town of Ciudad Juárez where he was ultimately killed in a shootout, officials said.
"He was located, chased. He was injured, but on the way (to the state attorney general’s offices) he died," Chihuahua state governor Maru Campos wrote on Twitter.
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"El Neto" was among 29 inmates who escaped from prison in Juarez on New Year’s Day after armored vehicles attacked the facility. At least 19 people – including guards and other inmates – were killed in the mayhem, Reuters reported.
7 CARTEL MEMBERS, 1 MEXICAN SOLDIER KILLED IN SHOOTOUT NEAR US BORDER
Authorities launched a manhunt for the escaped convicts. On Monday, seven people – including police – were killed in another confrontation involving the search.
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Mexican National Guard stand guard outside a state prison in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on Sunday. Mexican soldiers and state police regained control of a state prison in Ciudad Juarez across the border from El Paso, Texas after violence broke out, according to state officials. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)
Also Thursday, authorities arrested the son of notorious Mexican drug cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the state of Sinaloa, following a six-month interagency investigation.
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Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said Guzmán was a leader of a Sinaloa faction he called "los menores" or "the juniors," who are also known as "Los Chapitos," for the sons of El Chapo.