Former Mexico defence minister arrested on drug charges in Los Angeles

• Gen Salvador Cienfuegos was in office from 2012 to 2018
• General faces trafficking and money-laundering charges

Mexico's former defence secretary has been arrested in Los Angeles on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering, becoming the latest in a string of senior officials accused of collaborating with the very criminal groups they were supposed to be confronting.

Gen Salvador Cienfuegos was detained at Los Angeles international airport late on Thursday, and is expected to appear in court on Friday afternoon, according to the foreign secretary, Marcelo Ebrard.