Mexican druglord nicknamed ‘El Brad Pitt’ because of his disguise is arrested
Last updated at 6:44 PM on 17th June 2011
A suspected high-ranking member of a notorious drugs cartel who was named after Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has been arrested in northern Mexico.
Marco Antonio Guzman - who is accused of heading up the military wing of the ruthless Juarez Cartel - was picked up in the state of Chihuahua on the U.S. border along with two suspected accomplices on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old former police officer - who is accused of carrying out a car bomb attack in the state - is said to have acquired the flattering moniker 'El Brad Pitt' after wearing a disguise while working as a lookout for cartel bosses.
Wanted: Marco Antonio Guzman, aka El Brad Pitt is paraded before the news media in Mexico City following his arrest
To avoid suspicion, Guzman dressed as a tourist, growing his hair long, donning a baseball cap and wearing a camera around his neck.
Ironically, his associates thought the look made Guzman resemble Pitt when the actor played the role of a CIA agent in the 2001 film Spy Game. As a result, Guzman adopted the name 'El Brad Pitt'.
Guzman had a $42,000 bounty on his head following a 2010 car bomb attack that killed three people. Agents believe he was plotting another bomb attack prior to his arrested after they uncovered a stockpile of explosives in April.
He also allegedly participated in a videotaped killing that was posted on a video-sharing site and is believed to be a key player in drug trafficking operations in the state.
Rogues gallery: Guzman was arrested with two alleged associates, who were also presented to the media alongside a cache of seized weapons
Security alert: Because of Guzman's reputation and rank, security was stepped up when the announcement of his arrest was made
Spot the difference: Hollywood actor Brad Pitt in a scene from the thriller Spy Game
The Juarez Cartel is behind the trafficking of millions of dollars worth of narcotics between Mexico and the U.S. and has a reputation for violence.
Chihuahua is one of the worst-affected areas of the drug war. Last year there were an estimated 3,100 drug-related murders in Juárez City, the state capital.
In another blow to Mexico's criminal underworld, authorities said they also arrested a leader of the so-called Zodiac kidnapping gang, whose member used the signs of the zodiac as nicknames.
Suspect Dhither Camarillo Palafox, who goes by the nickname Taurus, was arrested in the Caribbean coast resort of Cancun. Alleged associates nicknamed Sagittarius and Aquarius were arrested in 2009. The group's other leader, nicknamed Cancer, was detained in 2005.
The group allegedly carried out kidnappings in and around Mexico City.
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