Gulf drug cartel and its Zeta hit men are the most violent of Mexico's gangs and account for the highest number of weapons seized.

Mexican prosecutors said Thursday that the Gulf drug cartel and its Zeta hit men are the most violent of Mexico's gangs and account for the highest number of weapons seized.The Attorney General's Office says the two related gangs have "the biggest presence and activity in crime and violence."Together, they accounted for a majority of the 31,512 weapons seized by law enforcement officials since December 2005. Those arms include anti-tank weapons, grenade launchers and .50-caliber rifles.The cartel, which recruited a gang of hit men known as Zetas from army deserters, controls cocaine and marijuana trafficking along Mexico's Gulf coast, and ships drugs to the United States.The office said the second-highest number of arms was seized from the Tijuana-based Arellano Felix cartel. Mexico's largest drug trafficking organization, the Sinaloa cartel and its allies, was third in the number of weapons seized.The cartels have been locked in increasingly bloody battles for control of trafficking routes that resulted in the deaths of over 5,300 people in Mexico in 2008.

Joseph Allen Garcia added to the 15 Most Wanted Fugitive List

Joseph Allen Garcia added to the 15 Most Wanted Fugitive List, according to a report obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police. Garcia is wanted in Texas on charges of murder, manslaughter, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and failure to appear. He is also wanted on a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. In December 2003, Garcia and two associates allegedly traveled to a residence in Laredo, Texas, with the intent of provoking a fight with another group of young men. Upon arriving at the residence, Garcia reportedly pulled out an AK-47 assault rifle and opened fire into the group, killing 18-year-old Mario Gonzalez and wounding three others. Authorities arrested Garcia the day after the murder, but he was out on bond within weeks. Garcia was into trouble again by August 2004, when he allegedly shot and wounded a young man after an argument over stereo speakers. Garcia was arrested for attempted murder and again posted bond. He was later indicted for murder when the young man died from his wounds. Four months later in December 2004, authorities arrested Garcia for possession of drugs. He posted bond and apparently decided to try life on the run. Garcia was scheduled to appear in court in March 2005, but he was a no-show and authorities have been looking for him ever since. In January 2006, the Laredo Police Department and the Webb County Sheriff’s Department contacted the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force – Laredo Division for assistance in locating and apprehending Garcia. He was classified as a U.S. Marshals Major Case until being upgraded today to the 15 Most Wanted. “Garcia has displayed a propensity for violence and continues to live a life of crime. Capturing him is one of our highest priorities,” said Director John F. Clark of the U.S. Marshals Service. “We will use all available resources to bring this violent criminal to justice.”Authorities suspect Garcia is a member of the Zetas, the enforcers for the Mexican Gulf Cartel. Garcia also is known to be associated with the Mexican mafia and is believed to be involved in the drug trade. He is likely living in Mexico and making frequent crossings into California and Texas. Garcia is a 21-year-old Hispanic male, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. He has scars on his left eye, chest and right ankle.