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A4 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 11 december 2019

U.S. charges: Mexico ex-security chief took bribes from cartel

By TOM HAYS Associated custody while awaiting a tween the start of 2005 and
Press bail hearing Dec. 17. the end of 2007, he said.
NEW YORK (AP) — Mex- Afterward, defense attor- Prosecutors said other co-
ico's former top security ney Rose Romero declined operating witnesses have
chief has been indicted in to comment outside court. confirmed that the cartel
New York City on charges Prosecutors in Brooklyn paid Garcia Luna tens of
he accepted a fortune in have said they will seek millions of dollars to clear
drug-money bribes from Garcia Luna's removal to the way for the Sinaloa
kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" New York, where El Chapo cartel to safely ship multi-
Guzman's notorious Sinaloa faced trial in 2018. ton quantities of cocaine
cartel to let it operate with Jurors heard former cartel and other drugs into the
impunity in Mexico. member Jesus Zambada United States. The cartel
Genaro Garcia Luna, 51, In this June 2, 2011 file photo, Mexico's Genaro Garcia Luna testify that he personally "obtained, among other
was charged in federal speaks during a ceremony to designate June 2 as the Federal made at least $6 million in things, safe passage for its
court in Brooklyn with three Police Day in Mexico City. The former Federal Secretary of Public hidden payments to Gar- drug shipments, sensitive
Safety was arrested in Dallas Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, on charges
counts of cocaine traffick- of cocaine trafficking and making false statements. cia Luna, on behalf of his law enforcement informa-
ing conspiracy and a false Associated Press older brother, cartel boss tion about investigations
statements charge. Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. into the cartel and informa-
Garcia Luna, a resident of Dallas, where he made an He waived his right to a The cash was delivered tion about rival drug car-
Florida, was arrested Mon- initial court appearance hearing to establish his during two meetings at a tels," according to court
day by federal agents in Tuesday afternoon. identity and will remain in restaurant in Mexico be- papers.q