The former mayor of Tequila, Jalisco, was arrested February 5th after a raid on his home, authorities confirmed. Diego ‘N’ was taken into custody while asleep when members of the Naval Special Forces entered his residence, according to reports.
The arrest occurred at 3:49 a.m. At his home located at 42 Calle 5 de Mayo, in the Miguel de la Madrid neighborhood of Tequila, officials said. A total of 42 federal agents from the Secretariat of the Navy and personnel from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection participated in the operation, authorized by a judge who issued multiple search warrants executed that day.
Naval personnel reportedly ascended to the second floor of the house and discovered the mayor in his bedroom, having likely been awakened by the commotion. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to address alleged corruption within Mexican municipalities.
Diego ‘N’ did not resist arrest, which was based on an arrest warrant issued January 31st by Judge Mario Elizondo Martínez.
Who was with Diego ‘N’ during the arrest?
As authorities searched the property, they encountered a man in a room adjacent to the mayor’s bedroom who was already on alert. The man, identified as Isaac ‘N’, allegedly brandished a pistol and pointed it at the naval and security personnel.
“You don’t know who you’re messing with,” the man reportedly threatened the officers. He was quickly subdued.
Isaac ‘N’ served as the Director of Public Works in the municipality of Tequila under Mayor Diego ‘N’.
A search of the home revealed 245,000 pesos in cash, along with the firearm, ammunition, and a packet containing methamphetamine.
The mayor was presented before Judge Elizondo Martínez, who formally charged him with organized crime, extortion, and aggravated kidnapping on Wednesday.
The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) accuses the mayor of having ties to the Jalisco Recent Generation Cartel (CJNG), alleging the cartel financed his political campaign.
Authorities also accuse him of kidnapping and torturing two politicians from the PAN party in March 2021, allegedly to force them to withdraw from the election and clear the path for Juan Gabriel Toribio Villarreal, who ultimately won the race.
What happened with Isaac ‘N’?
Isaac ‘N’ was presented before Judge Alejandra Ramírez de la Vega, who held an initial hearing Wednesday morning. During the hearing, details of the arrests were presented.
Following the hearing, Isaac ‘N’ was charged with possession of ammunition for a firearm and crimes against health, specifically related to the trafficking of methamphetamine. The judge ordered him to be held in preventative detention for two months while the investigation continues.
