Mexican police arrests main suspect on shooting of Paraguayan footballer Cabañas

[News_Editor]

Mexican police arrests main suspect on shooting of Paraguayan footballer Cabañas

2011-01-20 08:15:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- Mexico's Federal Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of "JJ," the main suspect behind the shooting of Paraguayan footballer Salvador Cabañas last year, local media reported.

The arrest was made at the posh Bosques de las Lomas neighborhood in northern Mexico City on Tuesday. José Jorge Balderas Garza, also known as "JJ," was detained along five individuals under drug trafficking charges.

Furthermore, he was also wanted for allegedly shooting America forward Salvador Cabañas on January 25, 2010. The Paraguayan soccer star was shot once in the head and has been rehabbing since barely surviving the assault at a nightclub.

Balderas Garza denied shooting Cabañas and blamed his former bodyguard Francisco José Barreto, aka "El Contador." However, he admitted being a drug dealer and close friend of recently capture drug lord Édgar Valdez Villarreal, also known as "La Barbie."

Last June, Barreto declared that Balderas Garza shot Cabañas once in the head in the restroom of the Bar Bar nightclub after a heated discussion. The bodyguard said that they were fighting over the recent poor performances of Cabañas with his club, America.

Barreto added that both individuals were close acquaintances and the argument led to the nearly-fatal shooting at about 5:00 a.m. local time. Cabañas recovered but suffered memory loss which stalled the investigation.

A video recorded by the nightclub's security cameras showed Cabañas entering the restroom followed by Balderas Garza. Barreto was guarding the door until he entered and a shot is heard.

Both men quickly left the bar without being detained by the nightclub's security guards. Minutes after his arrest, Balderas Garza said that the argument was started by Cabañas who was very drunk.

The arrested drug dealer allegedly asked Cabañas for permission to pass through which angered the soccer player. Cabañas verbally and physically assaulted Balderas Garza which prompted Barreto to enter the restroom and subsequently shot at the forward.

In a television interview, Balderas Garza demanded an apology from Cabañas as he felt disrespected by Cabañas. Furthermore, he questioned the authorities' version of the incident and assured that weapon was owned by the soccer player.

In relation to his drug trafficking activities, Balderas Garza said that after the Cabañas incident he has been hiding in several locations in Mexico City and Mexico State. He continued 'working' in his cocaine trafficking ring.

Authorities said that Balderas Garza was responsible of trafficking around 60 to 70 kilograms of cocaine per month. Balderas Garza claimed that his profit increased since he was pointed out as Cabañas' alleged shooter.

In 2002, he began trafficking cocaine upon invitation of Valdez Villarreal. Intiitally, he dealt between 18 and 20 kilograms of cocaine. He operated in the northern municipalities of Mexico State.

Authorities also disclosed that Balderas Garza was convicted in the United States for possession of marijuana and served eight months in prison before being deported to Mexico.

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