Genaro García Luna found guilty of all charges in NYC

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Genaro Garcia Luna

A federal court in New York on Tuesday convicted Mexico’s former head of internal security, who was accused of engaging in a criminal enterprise, making false statements, and conspiring to distribute 58 tons of cocaine.

Former Public Security Secretary Genaro García Luna led Mexican law enforcement, including the now-defunct Federal Police, from 2006 to 2012, and had previously been in charge of the country’s also-defunct criminal investigation agency.

U.S. law enforcement officials who investigated and prosecuted García Luna took a victory lap Tuesday, painting the conviction as a major win against narcotrafficking and corruption.

“García Luna, who once stood at the pinnacle of law enforcement in Mexico, will now live the rest of his days having been revealed as a traitor to his country and to the honest members of law enforcement who risked their lives to dismantle drug cartels,” United States Attorney Breon Peace said.

“Today’s verdict is a shining light for the rule of law, right over wrong, and justice over injustice for all those who have suffered as a result of the defendant’s deplorable crimes,” he added.

Representatives for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also flaunted the most politically significant conviction of a high Mexican official in a U.S. court.

“It should send a clear message — to all political leaders around the world that trade on positions of influence to further transnational organized crime – that DEA will relentlessly pursue drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety and health of the American people,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.

Yet the prosecution’s case raised eyebrows in Mexico, as it relied largely on the testimony of convicted cartel operatives, some of whom were well-known bosses.

“I’m not asking you like them,” Prosecutor Saritha Komatireddy told the jury.

Source: El Financiero

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