“Morogris” for Borderland Beat
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| Genaro Garcia Luena is the highest ranking Mexican official charged with drug trafficking in the United States (excluding former Mexican Army General Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, who was cleared of US drug charges in January 2021). Photo editing: HEARST from Borderland Beat |
US Federal Judge Brian Cogan, of the Eastern District Court in Brooklyn, New York, agreed to postpone the sentencing of former Secretary of Public Security, Genaro Garcia Luna, to March 11, 2024.
This is the second time that his sentencing has been rescheduled; it was initially set for late June, and then it was pushed to September. In this latest postponement, Judge Cogan considered the Garcia Luna defense team’s motion for an extension was reasonable.
Garcia Luna was convicted in February, more than three years after his arrest in Dallas, Texas. He was charged with enabling the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations in return for substantial bribes amounting to millions of dollars.
The jury found him guilty of participating in a continuous criminal enterprise, an international conspiracy involving cocaine distribution, a conspiracy related to the distribution and possession of cocaine, a conspiracy related to cocaine importation, and making a false statement while applying for U.S. citizenship.
After an extensive trial lasting nearly a month, the unanimous verdict was reached. The trial featured compelling testimonies from individuals associated with the cartel, including Jeses “El Rey” Zambada, who is the brother of the present leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
President López Obrador has utilized the conviction of Garcia Luna as evidence to back his assertion that Mexico was a “narco-state” during Felipe Calderón’s (2006–2012) presidency.
However, Calderon has said numerous times that he was not aware of Garcia Luna’s illegal actions. He released a statement in response to his security minister’s conviction, maintaining his integrity and challenging any connection to his criminal activities.
During sentencing, Garcia Lunes faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and up to life imprisonment.
Postponement sources: Milenio; Borderland Beat archives
Sentencing sources: USDOJ