A forensic specialist examines a burned bus in the town of Zapopan, Mexico, on Thursday. AP Images

Mexican security forces backed by helicopter arrested one of the leaders of a major drug cartel in a dramatic military raid in the country's second-largest city.

Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez, known as "El Menchito," is believed to be the second-in-command of the powerful Jalisco New Generation cartel, which is led by his father, and controlled the group's economic resources.

Authorities suspect Oseguera also ordered the execution of people who refused to work with him, planned the theft and sale of fuel in the region, and was responsible for preventing the intrusion of rivals onto the cartel's territory.

Oseguera was among five people detained by security forces in Guadalajara on Thursday, Public Security Undersecretary Monte Alejandro Rubido told reporters.

He "is presumed to be responsible for coordinating the sale and transfer of drugs from South America," Rubido said.