Mexican Soccer And Music Stars Linked To Drug Trafficking

MEXICO CITY — Authorities from the U.S. and Mexico are freezing and taking control of assets owned by Raúl Flores Hernández, an alleged drug kingpin.

The sanctions extend to a group of Mexican nationals and enterprises accused of supporting Flores. Two Mexican stars are part of the list: Rafa Marquez, soccer legend and captain for the national team, and Julión Álvarez, ‘banda’ music singer and Latin Grammy-nominee.

The U.S. Department of Treasury marked its largest single "Kingpin Act" action against a Mexican drug cartel with this operation.

Last Monday, Mexico's president Enrique Peña Nieto posted on Instagram a photo of him with Álvarez sightseeing on a raft. The image was quickly deleted, but reappeared on social media, as well as a two-year-old speech from the president praising the singer and calling him “an example.”

Álvarez rejected the accusations against him on Facebook on Wednesday, stating that he might be a victim of “jealousy.” According to some Mexican media outlets, Márquez voluntarily went to testify at the office of the Attorney General in Mexico.