‘El Moco,’ Alleged Fuel-Theft Boss Declared Winner of a 2024 Puebla Mayor’s Race, Arrested Again in Zacatlán — With About 3 Million Pesos in Cash, Reports Say
Juan Lira Maldonado, alias “El Moco,” an alleged fuel-theft (huachicol) boss who was declared the winner of the 2024 mayor’s race in Chignahuapan, Puebla, before the result was annulled, was arrested again on Oct. 8, 2026, in Zacatlán, in Puebla’s Sierra Norte. Puebla’s Public Security Secretariat (SSP) confirmed the arrest and called him a “priority target,” López-Dóriga Digital reported. Ambas Manos and José Cárdenas reported that he was carrying about 3 million pesos in cash.
What authorities seized
According to the SSP statement quoted by López-Dóriga Digital, the Navy (Semar), state police, Puebla state prosecutors and Zacatlán’s municipal police took part in the operation. They seized cash, radio equipment and a firearm. Authorities tie Lira to fuel theft, illegal gun possession, homicide and drug offenses. The statement said his main alleged business was stealing fuel in Ahuazotepec, Zacatlán, Chignahuapan and Huauchinango, as well as parts of Hidalgo. He is also known as “El Chaparro.”
Ambas Manos and José Cárdenas put the cash at about 3 million pesos and said he also had a handgun, three phones and a radio. Diario Puntual gave a figure of about 5 million pesos. José Cárdenas reported that Lira was flown to Mexico City and handed to the Attorney General’s organized-crime unit (FEMDO). The Registro Nacional de Detenciones logged the arrest at 4:52 p.m., El Financiero reported.
A fugitive since 2024
This is Lira’s second arrest. In October 2020, state police found 97 bags of a substance resembling methamphetamine and a sawed-off shotgun on him. He was later released, El Financiero reported. El Imparcial said a Supreme Court chamber denied him an amparo (a constitutional injunction) in late 2024. The ruling upheld charges over the alleged purchase of land in Chignahuapan through front men, and a warrant for his re-arrest followed. El Financiero said he had been a fugitive since then. It also reported that he has been linked to the killing of three people in Tres Cabezas and to an alleged crime figure known as “El Loco Téllez.”
Lira was the Fuerza por México candidate in Chignahuapan in 2024. He was declared the winner, but the election was annulled over irregularities.
Video
Milenio’s report on the arrest in Zacatlán:
Sources
- López-Dóriga Digital: “Detienen por segunda vez a ‘El Moco’, excandidato de Fuerza por México ligado al huachicol” (Oct. 9, 2026)
- El Financiero: “¿Quién es Juan Lira, ‘El Moco’, detenido por segunda vez en Puebla tras estar prófugo desde 2024?” (Oct. 8, 2026)
- El Imparcial: “Detienen a ‘El Moco’, presunto líder huachicolero de Puebla…” (Oct. 9, 2026)
- Ambas Manos (Guadalupe Chávez): “Así cayó Juan Lira ‘El Moco’, líder huachicolero de la Sierra Norte” (Oct. 8, 2026)
- José Cárdenas: “Detienen en Puebla a ‘El Moco’…” (Oct. 10, 2026)
- Diario Puntual: “Detuvieron a Juan Lira ‘El Moco’ con billetiza en Zacatlán” (Oct. 8, 2026)
- Video: Milenio on YouTube
- Photos: arrest photo credited “Marina,” via Ambas Manos
Reported Oct. 10, 2026, from Mexican media accounts and the Puebla SSP statement as quoted by López-Dóriga Digital. The accusations against Lira are allegations, outlets differ on the amount of cash seized, and no court ruling on the new arrest had been reported.