Ignacio Coronel was reputed to be the founder of the Mexico's methamphetamine trade and the No. 3 man the Sinaloa cartel. Mexican authorities say he was gunned down yesterday in a posh hideout in the western city of Guadalajara after firing on troops and military helicopters closing in on him.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration describes Coronel as a major trafficker who was "directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people." In congratulating the Mexican government, the DEA says it has dealt "a crippling blow" to the Sinaloa cartel.

Coronel's death comes amid allegations that President Felipe Calderon's administration has favored the Sinaloa cartel, not hitting it as hard as other drug gangs. Calderon has angrily denied those allegations.