Former Mexican Defense Secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos was arrested Thursday night on drug and money laundering charges at Los Angeles International Airport.
Cienfuegos, who led Mexico’s armed forces under then-President Enrique Peña Nieto, was detained at the U.S airport with members of his family, who were released.
The former Mexican military leader was reportedly detained on a warrant from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Mexico’s foreign minister confirmed the arrest in a tweet late Thursday.
The DEA has not spoken publicly about the circumstances surrounding Cienfuegos' arrest.