Lopez Barron arrested in connection with deaths of at least 18 police agents . Michoacan officials : He said that although the sale of drugs has diminished , the cartel has not stopped paying local police for protection . Jose Alberto Lopez Barron a top leader of La Peña drug cartel . `` You ca n't go around shooting off guns , '' suspect tells reporters . Anyone who wants to sell drugs has to go through cartel , Lopez Barron says .
Lopez Barron arrested in connection with deaths of at least 18 police agents . Michoacan officials : Jose Alberto Lopez Barron a top leader of La Peña drug cartel . `` You ca n't go around shooting off guns , '' suspect tells reporters . Anyone who wants to sell drugs has to go through cartel , Lopez Barron says .