Venezuelan Interior Minister Tareck El Aissami says police have arrested Jaime Alberto Marin, a Colombian man accused of leading the once-powerful Norte del Valle drug cartel.
Mr El Aissami announced the news over the micro-blogging service Twitter.
He described Alberto Marin as one of the most wanted men in the world.
Colombia's Norte del Valle drug cartel is believed to have exported more cocaine to the US than any other organisation in the 1990s.
But following a bloody internal battle and a number of high-profile arrests, Colombian police say they have since dismantled the organisation.
Mr El Aissami gave little detail about Mr Marin's arrest in his tweet, which is limited to 140 characters.
"Hard blow for drug trafficking. Alias Beto Marin captured. Boss of the Norte del Valle cartel. One of the most wanted in the world," it read.
BBC News
