His cartel helped give Ciudad Juarez its infamous reputation as one of the world 's most violent cities . But no shots were fired when Mexican federal police captured alleged Juarez Cartel boss Vicente Carrillo Fuentes , authorities said Thursday . The 51-year-old kingpin was detained alongside a bodyguard in a `` discreet operation '' at a checkpoint in the northern city of Torreon , said Monte Alejandro Rubido , head of Mexico 's National Security Council . The driver 's license Carrillo Fuentes flashed at a checkpoint concealed his identity . But once he realized he 'd been found out , Carrillo Fuentes admitted who he was , Rubido said . Carrillo Fuentes , known as `` El Viceroy , '' was one of Mexico 's most wanted alleged criminals . U.S. authorities had been offering a reward of up to $ 5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction . A list of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration 's most wanted fugitives describes Carrillo Fuentes as a former Mexican police officer and notes that he `` occasionally travels to El Paso , TX . '' A State Department Narcotics Rewards Program description of the notorious drug lord describes him as a `` known user of narcotics '' who is `` believed to have had plastic surgery '' and may have scars around his face . Cartel 's influence had been waning . In the United States , Carrillo Fuentes faces a number of charges , including drug trafficking , conspiracy , money laundering , tampering with a witness and `` ordering the intentional killing of individuals to prevent communication of information , '' the State Department said . There were five arrest warrants for his capture in Mexico , where authorities were offering a reward of 30 million pesos ( $ 2.2 million ) . Analysts have said the Juarez Cartel 's influence had been waning after a lengthy battle for territory with the Sinaloa Cartel . Some speculate that violence dropped in Ciudad Juarez , located across the border from El Paso , Texas , after the Sinaloa Cartel won the fight for control . But at one time , the Juarez Cartel was one of the most powerful in Mexico . Its former leader Amado Carrillo Fuentes was known as the `` Lord of the Skies '' because of the large fleet of jetliners he used to transport cocaine from Colombia to Mexico . He died while undergoing plastic surgery in 1997 , leaving his brother , Vicente , in charge of the cartel . Arrest comes as government faces criticism . His reported arrest comes a week after another top cartel leader was caught . Authorities said last week that they arrested Hector Beltran Leyva , leader of the Beltran Leyva Cartel , while he was dining in a seafood restaurant in San Miguel de Allende . The high-profile captures come as Mexican authorities face fierce public criticism over a surge in violence in Iguala , where 43 students went missing during a recent night of shootouts . On Monday , the government ordered local police to lay down their weapons and sent federal forces to the area , where investigators have found mass graves full of unidentified human remains . Critics accuse local authorities of involvement in the grisly crime , and say the government has n't done enough to solve it . So far , 34 people have been detained in connection with the case , including nearly two dozen local police officers , Mexican Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam told reporters Thursday . Hours later at another press conference , Murillo trumpeted news of Carrillo Fuentes ' capture as the `` result of enormous effort by the federal government , '' noting that it shows how much authorities have strengthened their abilities in investigation and intelligence . `` He was one of the most important of the most important that Mexican justice had to capture , '' he said .
Mexican federal police have arrested Rafael Carrillo Puerto . Authorities captured him at a checkpoint in Torreon , Veracruz . Alleged Juarez Cartel leader was one of Mexico 's most wanted criminals . He 's apparently led the organization since 2002 , when his brother died during plastic surgery .