Tijuana police official Julian Leyzaola issued the ban in 2008 after the group’s lead singer relayed a greeting to a drug trafficker from the stage. The tough-talking former army officer announced over the weekend he was leaving the police department.

Now that Leyzaola is gone, Tucanes lead singer Mario Quintero says that “we do not think much time will pass before we can return to Tijuana.”

The Tucanes defend songs that glorify drug traffickers, saying audiences like the tunes.