Genaro García Luna: New York prosecutors ask for life imprisonment for former Mexican security secretary

The prosecution asked the court to New York that on October 9th he must announce the sentence to the former Secretary of Security of Mexico Genaro Garcia Lunafound guilty of drug trafficking charges among others, which sentenced him to life in prison, according to a document made public on Thursday.

Found guilty by a jury in February 2023 of charges including international cocaine trafficking, the prosecution claims that his “crimes demand justice”, which is why he recommended to the investigating judge Brian Cogan “that the court impose a sentence of life imprisonment”.

After being postponed several times, sentencing is scheduled for October 9.

Garcia Luna, 56, was found guilty last year by a jury in New York of five charges.

Breon Peacethe chief prosecutor of the Eastern District Court, in Brooklynreminds the investigating judge that the accused, who was for more than a decade the head of the law enforcement forces in Mexico and the person in charge of the fight against drug trafficking“He exploited his power and authority by accepting millions of dollars in bribes from a drug trafficking organization he swore to pursue.”.

“It is difficult to overstate the magnitude of the defendant’s crimes, the deaths and addiction he facilitated, and his betrayal of the people of Mexico and USA”, he continues.

In a handwritten letter sent to the press this week, García Luna declared himself innocent and said that prosecutors used “False information provided by the Mexican government” and witnesses with “criminal record“which he pursued from his position in the government of Felipe Calderon (2006-2012).

García Luna regretted that the prosecution “did not present a single proof or evidence that proved the crimes“that weigh on him and reiterated his innocence.

“My honor is intact, I have not committed any crime.“, he said.