Alleged drug kingpin La Barbie caught in Mexico City
A middle-class ex-high school football star named Edgar Valdez Villarreal has long been in the sights of authorities, who allege Villarreal is one of the most successful drug traffickers in Mexico. On Monday, federal police caught Villarreal, a.k.a. “La Barbie,” after an intense manhunt that lasted a year and saw the cooperation of Mexican and U.S. authorities.
Ioan Grillo, Mexico correspondent for Time Magazine, tells us more about the legendary alleged drug lord, who was recently believed to be behind 56 bodies of rival cartel members stashed in an abandon silver mine.
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.