Mexico ex-prosecutor charged with treason over US drug raid

Federal prosecutors in Mexico have charged a former state prosecutor with treason for permitting US brokers to affix a raid on a suspected medicine lab in April with out correct authorisation.

César Jáuregui Moreno served as legal professional common of the northern border state of Chihuahua from 2023 to this 12 months.

The involvement of People got here to mild after two US brokers stated to have labored for the CIA died in a automotive crash in Chihuahua together with two Mexican legislation enforcement officers.

Legal professional Basic Ernestina Godoy Ramos stated Jáuregui had allowed overseas brokers to hold out actions reserved for Mexican authorities and had did not share info. Jáuregui has denied the allegations.

The previous prosecutor, who’s a member of the conservative opposition PAN celebration, was arrested on the weekend. A courtroom listening to is scheduled for Saturday.

A decide should nonetheless decide whether or not there may be sufficient proof to proceed with the case, Reuters information company stories.

Jáuregui additionally faces state-level costs in Chihuahua, together with of abuse of public workplace. In a courtroom listening to for these costs on Sunday, he denied that he instructed or consented to the involvement of US brokers within the operation.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has come underneath stress from US President Donald Trump to crack down on drug trafficking however has repeatedly declined presents of US-led counter-narcotics operations within the nation.

She has been adamant that overseas officers can solely function on Mexican soil if given prior clearance by the federal authorities, and has insisted the Latin American nation’s sovereignty shouldn’t be breached.

The crash occurred on 19 April, when a convoy getting back from an operation focusing on suspected methamphetamine labs in a distant, mountainous space veered off the highway and plunged right into a ravine.

Two members of the Chihuahua State Investigation Company had been killed together with the People, officers stated.

On the time, in his capability as state legal professional common, Jáuregui instructed a information convention that the People had been “teacher officers” from the US embassy engaged in “coaching work as a part of the overall and regular change we have now with the US authorities”.

US media have reported that the 2 people labored for the CIA as a part of an expanded effort to fight narcotics trafficking within the area.