Man arrested over Cabanas shooting
Reuters - Wednesday 19 January 2011, 02:57
MEXICO CITY - Mexican police on Tuesday
arrested the alleged drug dealer wanted for attempting to
murder Paraguayan football player Salvador Cabanas last year in a
bar shooting that ended the career of the promising forward.
Cabanas was shot in the head last January in a Mexico City
bar, apparently after an argument over his performance in the
Mexican league club America. He survived the attack but still
has the bullet lodged in his brain.
Jose Jorge "JJ" Balderas was arrested in an upscale Mexico
City neighborhood along with six other people by the country's
anti-drug unit, said federal police official Ramon Pequeno.
Balderas was detained in possession of powerful assault
rifles and illegal drugs, Pequeno said.
Balderas allegedly trafficked cocaine for drug lord Edgar
Valdez, alias 'La Barbie', who was captured earlier this year.
Valdez told police he had helped Balderas hide out after
the Cabanas shooting. The manhunt for Balderas extended to
Colombia.
Cabanas had been set to go to the World Cup in South Africa
with Paraguay last June after leading the national team through
qualifying matches.
After time in a Mexico City hospital and a Buenos Aires
clinic, Cabanas returned home to Paraguay. He is suing his
former Mexican club for his rehabilitation costs.