An alleged cartel boss has been arrested after a high-speed chase through the desert involving drones and a helicopter.

The bust happened in the rural village of El Pajarito in Valle de Juarez, a remote area in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, on 28th May.

Named only as Juan Carlos, 34, he is accused of being a senior figure in Los Cabrera, a feared faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

He was caught after rolling a Jeep Cherokee and being thrown through the windscreen before trying to escape on foot.

State police had tracked him for days using drones and finally moved in with tactical units and a helicopter.

The footage shows the car in flames as officers rushed to surround it.

Juan Carlos was arrested at gunpoint seconds after trying to limp away from the burning wreck.

He was carrying a Glock pistol, and police later seized three assault rifles, 250 rounds of ammunition, a tactical vest and a black plate carrier.

The Sinaloa Cartel has been rocked by infighting between rival factions loyal to jailed boss El Chapo and his former ally El Mayo.

Los Cabrera, once closely aligned with El Mayo, now reportedly back his son Ismael "El Mayito Flaco" Zambada.

The group controls drug smuggling routes through Durango and Chihuahua, and are known for using elite tactical squads.

Juan Carlos is facing charges for weapons offences, resisting arrest and falsifying vehicle documents.

His Jeep Cherokee, unregistered and totally burnt out, was towed from the scene.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)