Mexico arrests suspected drug trafficker on Europe's most wanted list

A Hungarian suspected drug trafficker on the list of Europe's most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Mexico, the Latin American country's public security chief said Saturday.

Janos Balla, also known as Daniel Takacs, was taken into custody in the beach resort city of Cancun on the Yucatan peninsula, Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said in a post on X, calling the suspect one of Europe's top 10 most wanted suspects.

Interpol had issued a red notice for Balla, and Europol had issued a formal arrest warrant, his ministry said in a statement.

The Hungarian national, 48, stands accused of running a criminal organization specializing in cocaine and ecstasy trafficking, from at least mid-2014 through April 2015, according to Europol.

Mexican authorities published pictures in which Balla -- wearing a shirt with a palm tree pattern and sporting a sparse beard -- appears to be escorted by police and security forces.

Harfuch said the arrest had been possible thanks to an exchange of information with authorities in Budapest.

Balla was to be handed off to immigration officials, with an eye towards his extradition, the ministry said.