AKIPRESS.COM - Mexican marines killed a leader of the Knights Templar drug cartel on Monday, three weeks after the cult-like gang's top chief was gunned down, Digital Journal reported referring to local officials.

Enrique “Kike” Plancarte was killed in the state of Queretaro in central Mexico.

Plancarte, 43, was considered one of the top four leaders of the Knights Templar gang, which is based in the western state of Michoacan and has been under pressure from government and vigilante forces for several months.

Officials said this was standard procedure. The national daily Reforma said navy sources confirmed Plancarte was killed.

His death comes after Knights Templar founder Nazario Moreno, alias “El Chayo”, was killed by troops in Michoacan on March 9.

The Knights Templar are considered major smugglers of crystal meth to the United States, but their business has expanded to include illegal mining of iron ore for export to China.