Execution squad founder jailed

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Former soldier-turned drugs gang boss Jaime 'The Hummer' Gonzalez is starting a 35-year sentence in a Mexican jail for organised crime and kidnapping.

Gonzalez, seen here in 2008 when he was captured after a shootout, was one of Mexico's most wanted men.

Authorities say he deserted from the Mexican army and helped found and lead the armed wing of the Zetas drugs cartel.

At the time of his arrest officials showed a gold-plated gun and bundles of cash they said belonged to Gonzalez.

They also displayed a large haul of weapons including machine guns, grenades and a rocket launcher believed to belong to the cartel.

Police say Gonzalez was in charge of drugs gang operations in eight states and Mexico City.

They say he also helped mastermind jailbreaks to free fellow drug traffickers, and is linked to the disappearance of four federal investigators.

Paul Chapman, Reuters