Former Cruz Azul President Denied House Arrest, Remains in High-Security Prison
A federal judge has ordered Billy ‘N’, the former president of Cruz Azul, to remain in custody without the option for house arrest. This decision came after a lengthy five-hour hearing held at the Altiplano high-security prison,where the defense requested an extension of terms. A ruling on whether he will be formally charged is expected next Wednesday.
During the hearing, Billy ‘N’’s legal team argued for house arrest, citing his age of 79 and health issues, including diabetes. However, the judge denied this request, stating that the former executive appeared to be in good physical condition and that the serious nature of the charges related to organized crime warranted his continued detention to prevent flight risk.
Billy ‘N’ faces serious allegations, including involvement in organized crime and money laundering through seven shell companies, amounting to approximately 114 million pesos. Evidence presented during the hearing included investigations by the Financial Intelligence Unit, documentation supporting the charges, and testimonies from members of the cooperative.
As it stands, Billy ‘N’ will remain in the Altiplano prison until at least next Wednesday, when he will return to court for a decision on whether he will be formally charged with the crimes he is accused of.
His arrest took place on January 16, 2025, at his residence in Mexico City, around 1 PM, after being a fugitive for approximately four and a half years. Authorities had been monitoring his recent visits to the city, which led to his capture without meaningful resistance or a large-scale operation.