A former Mexican state security official indicted by the United States on drug trafficking charges has turned himself in to authorities in Arizona.
That comes as Mexico freezes the bank accounts of all 10 former and current public officials charged with drug trafficking.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the bank accounts of the Sinaloa officials have been frozen as a preventative measure — because of the banks’ relationship with banks in the United States — rather than because of any domestic investigation.
A U.S. court accuses the public officials, who include Sinaloa Gov. Rubén Rocha Moya, of accepting bribes from the Sinaloa cartel. Rocha Moya is on leave from his post, but has said he is innocent.
Another accused Sinaloa official, the former state public security secretary, was arrested in Arizona last week after he turned himself in. Court records show he appeared in court in New York on Friday.
Sheinbaum told reporters Monday that U.S. officials, including drug czar Sara Carter and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, will visit Mexico in the coming weeks.
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The move comes after a nearly yearlong ban of Mexican cattle into the United States to protect against the New World screwworm parasite.
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The San Luis port of entry from Sonora, Mexico, is Arizona’s westernmost border crossing, and could see delays for four to five months starting later this month.
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No cases of the flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite have been reported in Arizona, but USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in the state has recommendations for ranchers to protect against it.
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Mexican immigrants sent less money back to their country of origin last year, after 11 consecutive years of increased remittances, according to BBVA. Now, they appear to be increasing again.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture says has confirmed the parasitic fly larva in a three-week-old calf in south Texas.