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$2 Million reward offered for capture of La Barbie

By KGNS News

He's one of the most wanted men in the US and Mexico.

Once a Laredo star athlete in high school, but now federal authorities say he's a high-ranking member of the Arturo Beltran-Leyva Cartel.

Today in an unsealed federal indictment, 36-year-old Edgar Valdez-Villarreal, nicknamed "La Barbie", and four others, including two additional Laredoans, were charged for conspiring to import and distribute thousands of kilograms of cocaine, worth millions of dollars from Mexico into the US, between 2004 and 2006.

In a 2008 trial in Atlanta, evidence shows he played a key role in moving the cocaine through the gateway city where big rigs then transported it to Atlanta.

Some say he's on the verge of becoming the first American to sit on top of a Mexican drug cartel, that's why us law enforcement agencies hope to find him soon.

There's even a song about "La Barbie" detailing his life and how he's been able to elude capture.

Authorities say "La Barbie" is also allegedly responsible for murder and money laundering.

"La Barbie" and the other four defendants are believed to be in Mexico.

The DEA urges anyone with information to please contact their office at 404-893-7000.

Authorities are offering a reward of up to 2 million dollars for his capture.

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Gary said on Saturday, Jun 12 at 4:25 AM

I remember him as a snot nose little wanna be hanging out in Las Lomas. Who would know, that one day, well the rest is history.

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Big O said on Sunday, Jun 13 at 7:24 PM

Local boy makes good!

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