The state of Nayarit has been rocked by the news that its most senior law enforcement official was arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Nayarit Attorney General Edgar Veytia took up his post in 2013, promising to deal harshly with organized crime in the state. He was considered a no-nonsense appointee and dedicated to his work.
According to U.S. authorities, this image was purely a facade and have accused him of being up to his neck in nefarious activities.
Nayarit Governor Roberto Sandoval Castañeda expressed his surprise at the arrest, noting that it is to early to judge his colleague, and that Veytia should be considered innocent until proven guilty.
According to news reports, Veytia, 46, was detained as he tried to cross into the United States in San Diego to visit relatives. He is being held in a federal facility in San Diego and, following a hearing on April 11, will be transferred to Brooklyn, New York, where he will be processed in the same jurisdiction as recently extradited drug kingpin Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman, who is currently awaiting trial.
Veytia’s indictment alleges that he conspired to smuggle cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine to the United States from January 2013 to last month but did not list any more details. However, it indicated that property linked to his illegal activity in the United States could be seized.