Mexican norteno singer detained at drug cartel party says he was in the wrong place

Mexico singer caught at drug party breaks silence

MEXICO CITY — Texas-based norteno singer Ramon Ayala says his arrest at a drug cartel party last month is a case of being in the wrong place.

In a statement Monday, he says Mexico’s conflict over drug trafficking “puts everyone at risk of being in unpleasant situations” and he wants to stress that he has based his career on work and dedication.

Ayala says he can’t comment on details of his arrest because the investigation continues. But his lawyer said previously that the singer didn’t know he had been hired by drug traffickers.

Ayala and his band were performing at a house in the town of Tepoztlan when sailors raided it Dec. 11. Ayala, who lives in Hidalgo, Texas, was released after several days because of health reasons.