APNewsBreak: Atlanta prosecutors charge Texas-born, Mexico-based ‘La Barbie’ with trafficking

APNewsBreak: Suspected drug smuggler charged

ATLANTA — Federal prosecutors in Atlanta have charged a Texas-born man suspected of leading a Mexican drug cartel with distributing thousands of kilograms of cocaine to the eastern U.S. from 2004 to 2006.

Edgar Valdez Villarreal (vee-yah-ray-AHL), who is known as “La Barbie,” was charged Friday along with five other people. Authorities are offering a reward of up to $2 million for his capture.

Prosecutors say Villarreal has become one of Mexico’s most elusive drug suspects. Federal authorities say he is battling for control of a powerful Mexican drug cartel.

Mexican authorities have found decapitated and mangled bodies this year that they believe are victims of the fight between the two.