Norteno star denies knowledge of playing for gang
Associated Press
Speaking publicly for the first time since the raid and his arrest, the renowned norteno accordion player said Tuesday that he had no idea he'd been booked to play at a private home — much less a drug gang's holiday party — before the raid near Mexico City. He and members of his band, Los Bravos del Norte, were detained.
Ayala, flanked by band members at a packed news conference in McAllen, said Mexican authorities recently said he was no longer under investigation for ties to drug trafficking. But a spokeswoman for Mexico's federal attorney general's office, Viviana Macias, said the investigation continues into Ayala's possible links to drug traffickers.
A representative for Ayala's attorney said they had a document in Mexico City proving that Ayala was no longer part of that investigation. The musician has not been charged with any crimes.
Associated Press
Latin Grammy winner Ramon Ayala wipes his eyes as a video about his career plays during a news conference at Poncho's Restaurant in McAllen, Texas, Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Ayala and his band, Los Bravos del Norte, were detained by Mexican soldiers while playing at a private party in Mexico in December 2009.
Latin Grammy winner Ramon Ayala said the lights went out, people started running and he and his band hit the floor when the Mexican military raided a drug cartel's holiday party in December.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the raid and his arrest, the renowned norteno accordion player said Tuesday that he had no idea he'd been booked to play at a private home — much less a drug gang's holiday party — before the raid near Mexico City. He and members of his band, Los Bravos del Norte, were detained.
Ayala, flanked by band members at a packed news conference in McAllen, said Mexican authorities recently said he was no longer under investigation for ties to drug trafficking. But a spokeswoman for Mexico's federal attorney general's office, Viviana Macias, said the investigation continues into Ayala's possible links to drug traffickers.
Latin Grammy winner Ramon Ayala pauses as he talks about his detention by Mexican soldiers during a news conference in McAllen, Texas, Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Ayala and his band Los Bravos del Norte were performing at a private party in Mexico in December 2009 when it was raided by the Mexican Navy, they were later released on Dec. 23
"We're completely clean," Ayala said. "We don't have anything pending."
A representative for Ayala's attorney said they had a document in Mexico City proving that Ayala was no longer part of that investigation. The musician has not been charged with any crimes.
