A suspected top drug trafficker Edgar Valdez, known as “The Barbie”, has been captured in Mexico. His detention is a major win for President Felipe Calderon in his battle against powerful drug cartels.

And in a separate move over 3,000 police officers have been fired for failing lie-detector, toxicology and other tests collectively known as “trust control exams”.

Those sacked amount to ten percent of Mexico’s federal police force. Along with the army the police are in the vanguard of the government’s attempt to curb the drug lords who are fighting turf wars as well as defying the authorities.

Organised crime relies on corruption as much as violence to protect its interests.

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