Mexican special forces have arrested Alfredo Beltran Leyva, an alleged cocaine smuggler and senior member of the Sinaloa drug cartel. The forces captured Leyva, along with three others. They were carrying $900,000 in cash and several weapons.

Mexico is fighting its drug cartel with increased ferocity. According to the International Herald Tribune:

The onslaught has broken up a longstanding system in which the local police looked the other way for a bribe and cartel leaders went about their business.

Even so, midlevel mobsters have fought back with tenacious resistance. More than 20 Mexican police officers have been killed this year. Last Saturday, suspected drug smugglers killed Luis Aguilar, an American border-patrol agent.

While the capture of Leyva demonstrates a victory for the Mexican government, it is unclear whether President Felipe Calderón's efforts will accomplish long-term change. With the help of local police, Mexican drug leaders continue to withstand federal forces.
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