MEXICO CITY, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The alleged leader of a kidnappers ring who maimed his victims was arrested on Thursday in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo, Public security authorities said.

    The ring leader, identified as Alberto Barragan, also known as "Cecilio" or "El Cuije", was arrested in Tepeapulco municipality in Hidalgo state in an operation against organized crime launched last Monday.

    Barragan was charged with maiming his victims by chopping off fingers or ears to intimidate their families, prosecutors said.

    President Felipe Calderon aims to bring peace back to Michoacan, a western state ravaged by criminal groups, through this operation. About 7,000 troops from the army, navy and Federal Preventative Police have taken part in the operation.

    "El Cuije" used to hide in Michoacan and the southern state of Guerrero, police said.

    During the operation, Elidia Cortes, 34, and Mauricio Barragan Cortes, 18, wife and son of the alleged ring leader, were also arrested.

    The criminal group is allegedly responsible for at least 21 kidnappings. It operated in Mexico City and the Mexican states including Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Veracruz, Mexico, Morelos, Tlaxcala, Puebla and Michoacan.