Jose Manuel Mireles

Mexican forces on Friday arrested Jose Manuel Mireles, a senior leader of the powerful anti-crime vigilante group in the western state of Michoacan.

Soldiers and police arrested 83 suspected vigilantes on Friday on charges of carrying unauthorised weapons, including one of the founders of the "self-defence" movement in Mexico's western Michoacan state, authorities said.

Authorities began Saturday to hand blue uniforms and assault rifles to vigilantes in western Mexico, legalising a movement that formed last year to combat a vicious drug cartel.

Mexican forces on Friday arrested Jose Manuel Mireles, a senior leader of the powerful anti-crime vigilante group in the western state of Michoacan.

Soldiers and police arrested 83 suspected vigilantes on Friday on charges of carrying unauthorised weapons, including one of the founders of the "self-defence" movement in Mexico's western Michoacan state, authorities said.

Authorities began Saturday to hand blue uniforms and assault rifles to vigilantes in western Mexico, legalising a movement that formed last year to combat a vicious drug cartel.