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Feds capture major drug kingpin off Southern CA coast

Federal officials have arrested one of Mexico's top drug kingpins. Francisco Javier Arellano Felix is said to be a boss of the Arellano Felix Drug Cartel that's responsible for smuggling tons of drug

Federal officials have arrested one of Mexico's top drug kingpins. Francisco Javier Arellano Felix is said to be a boss of the Arellano Felix Drug Cartel that's responsible for smuggling tons of drugs into the United States during the last two decades. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has more.

Working off a tip, U.S. Coast Guard officials arrested Francisco Javier Arellano Felix on a recreational fishing boat 15 miles off the coast of La Paz, Mexico on Monday afternoon.

Federal officials say Franciso Javier is one of the most wanted drug traffickers in the world. According to a federal indictment he is responsible for 20 murders in the United States and Mexico and is believed to be connected to elaborate tunnels used to smuggle drugs under the border.

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Drug Enforcement Administration Chief of Operations Mike Braun says his agency has the cartel in a chokehold.

Braun: "We're piling on and moving this ongoing investigation even more forward. This huge success for law enforcement it's what we live for."

The Coast Guard is transporting Francisco Javier Arellano Felix and two other suspected cartel hit men to San Diego. Amy Isackson, KPBS News.