Mexico City, Mexico — A man wanted for murder in the state of Texas has been arrested in Mexico. On Tuesday, the head of the Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC) announced the arrest of José Wilfredo “N”, a leader of the international organization of criminal gangs known as the Mara Salvatrucha.
On Tuesday, the head Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC), Omar García Harfuch, announced that 55-year-old José Wilfredo “N” of Salvador was detained in Cuauhtémoc by personnel from the SSC, the National Intelligence Center (CNI) and Instituto Nacional de Migración (INAMI).
“The SSC of CDMX, in coordination with CNI and INAMI, arrested a man who belongs to the criminal group Mara Salvatrucha. He was wanted for the federal crimes of homicide, robbery, carrying of weapons and has an arrest warrant in Houston,” Garcia Harfuch posted on social media.
According to reports, the 55-year-old is also being investigated in Mexico for homicide, aggravated robbery, the use of false documents, possession of war weapons and public disorder, among others.
He has been living in Mexico illegally in the state of Hidaglo. His arrest was made after authorities received an anonymous tip that a leader of the Mara Salvatrucha was hiding in the downtown area under a false identity. Using fixed and mobile surveillance, authorities were able to locate the building where he was hiding.
The Mara Salvatrucha criminal group, also known as MS-13, is a gang made up of mostly Salvadorian members that have spanned several countries, but originated in Los Angeles the 1980s. Its members are known for their violent, criminal nature and are identified by their tattoos. José Wilfredo “N” was reportedly second in command.
