PROMINENT FIGURES

* Some big names in the Mexican drug trade, according to U.S. and Mexican
authorities:

Francisco Javier Arellano Felix

* Likely heir to Tijuana-based gang run by brother Benjamin until arrest in
March. U.S. officials say gang is Mexico's largest and strongest but may be
struggling since Benjamin's capture and February death of brother Ramon,
group's fearsome enforcer. Francisco Javier, college graduate who at 32 is
youngest of six brothers, used to play role in Ramon's violent unit.
Authorities expect him to receive help in new leadership role from brother
Eduardo, physician, and sister Enedina, accountant wanted on Mexican
money-laundering charges.

Vicente Carillo Fuentes

* Heads remnants of Juarez cartel, which splintered after death of brother
Amado in 1997. Based in central border cities of Ciudad Juarez and Reynosa
and southeastern resort of Cancun, gang operates in 17 Mexican states,
giving it country's largest zone of influence, Mexican officials say.
Carillo Fuentes, 39, faces U.S. charges of importing and distributing
cocaine and marijuana as well as 10 murder counts. Also indicted in Texas
on organized crime charges.

Juan Esparragoza

* Known as "El Azul" (Blue) for his dark complexion, Esparragoza, whose age
is given alternately as 48 or 50, is former lawyer who became key deputy in
cartel that collapsed with capture of boss Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo in
1989. Officials say Esparragoza is now key adviser to Carillo Fuentes and
respected by many other bosses, who view him as godfather-type veteran of
drug trade who can mediate disputes and encourages cooperation instead of
competition between gangs.

Ismael Zambada

* Started with Juarez cartel but now heads gang based in western Sinaloa
state, Mexico's leading producer of marijuana and poppy crops. Known as
accomplished alliance builder, Zambada, 53, remains close to Carillo
Fuentes and Esparragoza. U.S. officials say he helped Arellano Felix
brothers shift from Sinaloa to Tijuana in early 1990s but fell out with
gang after trying to use its smuggling routes without paying fee.

Osiel Cardenas

* Heads Gulf cartel based in border city of Matamoros. Mexican officials
say gang severely weakened by capture of chief smuggler, Adan Medrano
Rodriguez, in March, but it has formed growing alliance with Carillo
Fuentes. Cardenas, 35, inherited control of gang following 1996 arrest of
drug lord Juan Garcia Abrego. United States offers $2 million reward for
Cardenas, who is accused of threatening to kill several U.S. drug and
customs agents.