Arrests have been made in the murder case of Mexico City official Milton Morales

A total of nine people suspected of taking part in the assassination of a top security official in Mexico City in July have been arrested, according to Mexico’s Ministry of Security (SSC CDMX).

Milton Morales Figueroa, director of the SSC’s strategy, tactics and special operations unit, was shot dead while off duty in Coacalco on July 21a municipality just north of Mexico City.

In a press statement on Monday morning, the SSC said it had conducted a joint operation with Mexico’s state authorities and Hidalgo, which resulted in the arrest of six suspects over the past ten days.

Mexican Security Minister Pablo Vázquez Camacho posted a message on crime.

Among the six most recently arrested, authorities have identified Jorge Leonel “N,” also known as “Leo,” as the alleged shooter.

“Leo” was arrested on September 19 in Hidalgo State. The SSC says the suspect has a criminal record in Mexico City and was previously imprisoned in the capital’s Reclusorio Sur prison for theft. There are indications that “Leo” agreed to carry out the attack to pay off a debt, the investigation led by the SSC found.

The other five suspects arrested this month were identified as Jesús Octavio “N”, (aka “El Pinto”), José Manuel “N” (aka “Manu” or “El 16”), Juan Carlos “N”, Rafael “N” (aka “El Bombón”) and Raúl “N” (aka “Racafa”).

According to the results of the SSC’s investigation, on the morning of July 21, “Leo” met four of the suspects at an auto mechanic workshop in the state of Mexico.

“Leo,” Juan Carlos and Jesús Octavio got into a white Chevrolet Aveo and left Morales’ house. They then followed Morales as he drove away in the company of his wife. Jesús Octavio allegedly gave Leo the 9mm pistol and identified the target as he walked from his car to the chicken shop.

“Leo” allegedly fired six shots at Morales, hitting him at least twice – once in the head and once in the back – before climbing back into the Chevy Aveo and fleeing. A 77-year-old man was also injured in the attack.

According to investigators, the co-conspirators dropped off “Leo” in Pachuca, the capital of Hidalgo state, where he had been hiding since the murder.

Authorities have not yet identified the mastermind behind the killing, although the working hypothesis is that Morales was killed in retaliation for his success in cracking down on gangs operating in the Mexico City metropolitan area.

Morales, responsible for investigating high-impact crimes in the capital, is expected to take a top position in the federal government under newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum, who will take the oath of office on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old official worked closely with Omar García Harfuch – who will head the federal Ministry of Security – when the latter led Mexico City’s Ministry of Security from 2018 to 2023. Morales and García Harfuch first worked together almost sixteen years ago, when both were employed by the now defunct federal police.

With reports from Reform, Infobae And El Universal