Juan Lira Maldonado, alias “El Moco,” arrested in Puebla

Mexican authorities have arrested Juan Lira Maldonado, known as “El Moco” or “El Chaparro,” in a coordinated operation in Zacatlán, Puebla. Lira Maldonado is identified as a high-priority target and a suspected leader of a criminal group operating in the Sierra Norte region of Puebla and the state of Hidalgo.

He is accused of involvement in several high-impact crimes, most notably the theft of hydrocarbons (huachicol), as well as homicide, kidnapping, extortion, and drug offenses. During the arrest, security forces seized cash, communication equipment, and a firearm.

This marks the second time Lira Maldonado has been detained; his previous arrest in 2020 resulted in his release. He gained significant notoriety for his involvement in politics, having run as a mayoral candidate for the Fuerza por México party in Chignahuapan during the 2024 elections. Although he was initially declared the winner, the election results were later annulled due to irregularities.