Mexican authorities say one of the alleged founders of the Zetas cartel has been killed in a shootout.
Galdino Mellado Cruz was found dead among five people killed in a Friday gun battle with soldiers in Reynosa.
He's believed to be one of the military deserters who created the Zetas, but reportedly no longer holds a command position within the cartel.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) GOVERNMENT SECURITY SPOKESPERSON, ALEJANDRO RUBIDO, SAYING:
"Mellado Cruz has over 13 previous charges for the crimes of homicide, extortion, drugs and arms trafficking. His area of influence was in the north of Tamaulipas state. It's important to mention that the office of external foreign activity of the U.S. Treasury Department issued an alert against this individual to block (his) financial activity in the country."
Mellado had been on the run from authorities after escaping prison.
His death is deemed a high-profile victory in the crackdown on cartels.
