With 4-hour delay, ex-marine's hearing begins; judge rules it private

A hearing for former Rear Admiral Fernando Farías Laguna, recently returned to Mexico from Argentina, commenced four hours behind schedule and was subsequently declared private. The judge overseeing the proceedings, Alejandra Ramírez de la Vega, opted for privacy after the Attorney General's Office argued that related investigations into 'huachicol' activities at customs were still active.

Despite the defense's request for a public hearing, the judge sided with the prosecution's argument. Farías Laguna is reportedly participating in the hearing via videoconference from Federal Social Reintegration Center No. 1. Meanwhile, prosecutors are joining from the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in Organized Crime (FEMDO) in Mexico City.

Prosecutors are expected to formally charge Farías Laguna, who is the nephew of former Navy Secretary José Rafael Ojeda Durán, with organized crime offenses. These charges are linked to allegedly leading a maritime 'huachicol' network. The prosecution is also likely to seek pre-trial detention, as the alleged crime falls under the category that mandates automatic imprisonment.

Farías Laguna's defense team may request an extension of the legal deadline to determine whether he will be formally linked to the process. The case involves allegations of organized crime related to hydrocarbon offenses, specifically focusing on fiscal fuel theft via maritime routes.