Brother of wanted businessman arrested in Mexico for money laundering

Mexican authorities have arrested Alejandro Álvarez Puga in the tourist city of Cancún. He is the brother of businessman Víctor Manuel Álvarez Puga, who faces a money laundering charges in Mexico along with his wife, TV presenter Inés Gómez Mont.

The Federal Ministerial Police apprehended Álvarez Puga on Thursday night in Quintana Roo state. He was subsequently handed over to the Federal Criminal Justice Center at the Reclusorio Sur in Mexico City. The Attorney General's Office has not yet publicly commented on the arrest.

Alejandro Álvarez Puga is accused of participating in a criminal network. This network allegedly used shell companies to facilitate tax evasion, public fund diversion, and money laundering for third parties. His brother and sister-in-law face charges of embezzlement, organized crime, and illicit money operations, with amounts exceeding 3 billion pesos (over $160 million).

Víctor Manuel Álvarez Puga was previously detained in Miami by ICE but was later removed from the detainee registry. The couple remains at large, with Mexican authorities issuing an Interpol red notice for their arrest. Mexico had previously requested their extradition to face the charges. The case has garnered significant media attention due to Gómez Mont's popularity on shows like "Ventaneando."