MEXICO CITY (AP) — A man who allegedly rose to become one of Mexico's most savage assassins has told Mexican investigators he personally shipped cash and drugs.
In a video released by Mexico's federal police, Edgar Valdez Villarreal (vee-uh-ray-AL'), known as "the Barbie" for his fair complexion and green eyes, also says he personally knew the country's top drug lords.
The former Texas high school football player who began as a petty street dealer was arrested Monday -- the third major drug lord brought down by Mexico in less than a year. The 37-year-old Valdez faces charges in three U.S. states for trucking in tons of cocaine.
The video was broadcast late yesterday and provided to news organizations, including The Associated Press. When asked if he worked in drugs, he replied yes.
Authorities also said Valdez could provide intelligence on other top traffickers.
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<<APPHOTO SPANMXAM101 (08/31/10)>>
: La policÃa custodia a Edgar Valdez Villareal, alias La Barbie y uno de los presuntos capos del narcotráfico más buscado, durante una rueda de prensa en la ciudad de MÃ5/8xico, el martes 31 de agosto de 2010.
<<APPHOTO MXAM109 (08/31/10)>>
: Texas-born fugitive Edgar Valdez Villarreal, alias "the Barbie," center, is presented to the press in Mexico City, Tuesday Aug. 31, 2010. Valdez, who was captured on Monday by federal police, faces drug trafficking charges in the U.S. and is blamed in Mexico for a brutal turf war that has included bodies hung from bridges, decapitations and shootouts as he and a rival fought for control of the divided Beltran Leyva cartel.
