( CNN ) -- A top drug lord has been gunned down in Mexico after two days of shootouts between armed forces and members of a criminal organization , a national security spokesman said Friday . Nazario Moreno Gonzalez , also known as `` El Chayo '' or `` El Doctor '' was killed as part of an operation in the Mexican southwestern state of Michoacan , according to spokesman Alejandro Poire . Poire also said that members of the federal police , army , air force and navy participated in the joint operation centered in the city of Apatzingan and the surrounding mountainous region . Moreno was one of the main leaders and founders of the drug cartel known as `` La Familia Michoacana , '' according to Poire . `` This drug cartel began operations under the name of 'La Empresa ' ( The Enterprise ) around the year 2000 and has terrorized the population in Michoacan ever since , not only trafficking and producing drugs , but also extorting , kidnapping , and murdering people , '' he said . The national security spokesman said that five federal police officers and three civilians have died during the joint operation , still under way as of Friday afternoon . He also said that three members of La Familia were killed and three others have been captured . `` During the retreat and escape of these criminals , they have been picking up those members of the criminal group who have been wounded and presumably died , '' said Poire , who said it is too soon to provide an accurate number of deaths and arrests . `` It 's time to intensify the pressure on this organization in order to diminish crime in the ( Michoacan ) region in an efficient and permanent way , '' said Poire . He said the Mexican government is sending more armed forces to the conflict zone . La Familia 's stronghold is in the state of Michoacan -- also the home state of Mexican President Felipe Calderon , who sent thousands of federal troops there after declaring a crackdown on cartels at the beginning of his presidency . Gunfire from high-powered weapons greeted police when the operation began Wednesday , Poire said . From there , the violence escalated . Two minors were killed during the operation , when gunmen shot at civilian cars and later used the vehicles as barricades , Poire said Thursday . Nearby , suspected members of the cartel set trucks and buses ablaze on highways to block approaching federal police .
Nazario Moreno Gonzalez was a key leader of `` La Familia Michoacana '' Five police officers and three civilians have also been killed in two days of shootouts . Joint operation with police , armed forces is aimed at pressuring the cartel .