MEXICAN DRUGS LORD SON ARRESTED !

Thousands of soldiers have been deployed to tackle the gangs

Vicente Zambada, the son of one of Mexico's top drug barons, has been captured, officials say.

Mr Zambada was in charge of operations for the Sinaloa cartel, Mexico's most powerful drugs gang, said the country's attorney general's office.

His father, Ismael, is believed to be a senior leader of the cartel.

Gang warfare and drugs-related violence have soared in Mexico, with more than 6,000 drugs-related killings in the country in 2008.

Vicente Zambada, also know as "El Vicentillo", was arrested on Wednesday in an exclusive area of Mexico City, said officials at a news conference.

They said the arrest followed reports from neighbours of suspicious activity in the area.

A stockpile of weapons and cash were also seized by police.

Ricardo Cabrera of the attorney general's office said the arrest of the younger Zambada would significantly affect the Sinaloa cartel's operations.

Ismael Zambada's brother, Jesus "The King" Zambada, was arrested last year.

Gangs in Mexico are fighting a vicious turf war in the north of the country over lucrative smuggling routes into the US.

The Sinaloa gang is reportedly controlled by Mexico's most wanted man, Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, who escaped from prison in 2001 and is believed to be at large in Mexico or Central America.

He is estimated to have a personal fortune of $1bn (£722m) and has been blamed by Mexican officials for much of the continuing violence.

President Felipe Calderon has deployed thousands of soldiers close to the border with the US in an attempt to take back control.

The US has also offered assistance, and this week said it would be sending troops or anti-narcotics agents to the Mexican border.

BBC NEWS REPORT