Mexican 'drug lord' arrested in Brazil en route to World Cup game

Diaz Barajas is allegedly wanted in the US and Mexico for drug-trafficking

Mexican supporters cheer during a Group A football match between Brazil and Mexico in the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014 (GETTY IMAGES)

Authorities in Brazil have arrested a suspected Mexican drug lord as he made his way through Rio de Janeiro's airport to watch his national football team play at the World Cup.

Jose Diaz Barajas was arrested at Tom Jobim airport last night, accompanied by his wife and two children en route to Fortaleza, where Mexico was due to play against Brazil in its second World Cup match.

Brazil's Federal Police confirmed he had tickets for the game under his name and said it had informed FIFA about the arrest. Diaz Barajas, 49, is reportedly wanted in the United States and Mexico for drug-trafficking. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) assisted in the arrest.

"He was low-profile and used real documents to enter the country because he thought that nobody was looking for him," police spokesman, Luiz Cravo Dorea, told reporters in Brasilia. "He will remain imprisoned in Rio until his extradition to the US is determined."

Diaz Barajas arrived in Brazil by land from Paraguay on 11 June and his movements had since been tracked by police. Supreme Court Justice Marco Aurelio Mello was responsible for issuing the arrest warrant.