Mexico catches alleged Sinaloa cartel lieutenant

Fri May 15, 8:56 pm ET

MEXICO CITY â?? Mexican police have caught an alleged lieutenant of the Sinaloa drug cartel, the 327th such capture since President Felipe Calderon took office and stepped up the campaign against traffickers.

Police describe Mario Gonzalez Martinez as one of the most trusted aides of Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. He was captured Friday along with four alleged accomplices in the western state of Jalisco.

The Public Safety Department says federal police also seized 10 rifles and six pistols.

Since taking office in late 2006, Calderon has sent more than 45,000 soldiers to combat drug cartels. Drug violence has killed more than 10,750 people in the last 2 1/2 years.

The highest-ranking leaders of Mexico's cartels remain at large.