Mexican police have arrested Jose Antonio Medina Reguin, also known as "Don Pepe," on charges of smuggling massive amounts of heroin into the United States, broadcasters reported on Thursday.

Mexican federal police present Jose Antonio Medina Arreguin known as "the heroin king" in a news conference at the federal police center in Mexico City March 25, 2010. [Xinhua]

Medina, also nicknamed "the King of Heroin," was reportedly in an eastern Mexico City remand center guarded by heavily-armed plainclothes officers. Federal police officer Ramon Pequeno Garcia, head of the Federal Police's third section, told media that Medina was suspected of having trafficked 200 kilograms of heroin every month, earning 12 million dollars by doing so.

The arrest was a result of "the investigation work carried out by the federal police," Pequeno said.

Pequeno told media that Medina, 33, operated without the support of a major cartel, allegedly shipping the drugs into the United States in secret compartments vehicles which he used to cross the border. He allegedly shared some of his logistics with La Familia, a cartel based in the western Mexico state of Michoacan.

Mexico has begun procedures needed to extradite Medina to the United States, where he is believed to be the single largest heroin smuggler.

Mexican federal police present Jose Antonio Medina Arreguin known as "the heroin king" in a news conference at the federal police center in Mexico City March 25, 2010. Jose Antonio Medina Arreguin, 36, allegedly exported into the United States some 200 kilogrammes of heroin per month, was arrested Wednesday in the western Mexican state of Michoacan, according to Mexico's Public Security Ministry. [Xinhua]