(CNN) - Authorities in Mexico report that they arrested José Antonio Yépez Ortiz on Sunday morning. Commonly known as 'El Marro', Yépez Ortiz is the alleged leader of the Mexican cartel of Santa Rosa de Lima.
Authorities say he was arrested in the state of Guanajuato, according to a joint statement released Sunday by the Guanajuato government and the country's Ministry of Public Security.
At least five other people were detained and a businesswoman who had been kidnapped was rescued, according to the statement, adding that the arrest occurred in a joint operation by federal and state security forces.
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The Mexican Security Minister, Alfonso Durazo, confirmed the arrest of Yépez Ortiz in a publication on his official Twitter account, adding that "El Marro" was detained by means of an arrest warrant for "organized crime and theft of fuel."
"Great news to start this Sunday," wrote the US ambassador to Mexico, Christopher Landau, on the arrest of the alleged cartel leader.
The Santa Rosa de Lima cartel has obtained most of its income from fuel theft and extortion. 'El Marro' was wanted for months, with Mexican authorities targeting his family and his close circle as violence increases in the state of Guanajuato, territory controlled by the cartel.
A territorial war for control of the area between the 'El Marro' cartel and the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel sparked a wave of brutal, violent and deadly attacks. Guanajuato sees an average of 10 homicides per day. In the first half of this year, the state recorded at least 1,691 homicides, according to government data, making it the deadliest state in Mexico.
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