At a hearing in Brooklyn federal court, Genaro Garcia Luna, the former Mexican public security minister, was sentenced to over 38 years in prison for accepting bribes from drug cartels. Prosecutors had called for a life sentence for Garcia Luna, who was convicted in February 2023 for engaging in a criminal drug enterprise, participating in conspiracies, and making false statements.
The judge, Brian Cogan, credited Garcia Luna for teaching fellow inmates while imprisoned but noted that he lived a “double life” that caused more harm than good. Cogan likened Garcia Luna’s behavior to that of El Chapo, the former leader of the Sinaloa cartel, who is serving a life sentence in a Colorado prison.
Garcia Luna’s defense lawyer argued for a minimum 20-year sentence, pointing out that he had already spent nearly five years in jail since his 2019 arrest. The defense claimed that former Sinaloa cartel members who testified against Garcia Luna had falsely implicated him to reduce their own sentences.
Before receiving his sentence, Garcia Luna maintained his innocence, claiming that Mexico’s government and criminal groups had framed him. He denied committing any crimes and expressed that he was not the person the criminals portrayed him to be.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of corruption within law enforcement agencies in Mexico and the close ties between officials and drug cartels. The sentencing of Garcia Luna serves as a warning to others engaged in similar illegal activities.
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