Police in Colombia say they have captured a leading drugs kingpin, days after killing his twin brother.

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His brother, Victor Manuel, was killed in a shoot-out with police on Tuesday - and was initially mistaken for Miguel.

The US had sought to extradite "The Twins", as they were known, and had offered a $5m (£2.5m) reward for information leading to their capture.

'Snake'

Miguel was captured along with at least two deputies, Colombian media quoted police sources as saying.

He was caught in a farm in the town of Honda to the north of the department of Tolima - close to the rural spot in the department of Antioquia where his brother was killed, say reports.

Police had initially mistaken Victor's body for his brother's, after discovering identity papers pertaining to Miguel.

"How good that the head of this snake has been cut off," Interior Minister Carlos Holguin reportedly told RCN radio.

The brothers ran one of the most powerful drugs cartels in the country and were also linked to Colombia's right-wing paramilitary groups.

Production continues

This is the latest a blow to Colombia's multi-billion-dollar drugs trade, says the BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Bogota.

Last year three of the leaders of the powerful Norte del Valle Cartel were also captured.

But our correspondent says there has been little interruption to the export of cocaine, which US authorities now estimate is as high as 1,000 tonnes (2.2m lb) a year.

For every "capo" or boss captured, another five are waiting to take his place, he says.

(BBC)

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