Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have requested a judge to order Mexico’s former public security chief, Genaro Garcia Luna, to face life in prison after he was convicted of aiding drug traffickers and taking bribes to conceal their illegal schemes.

While Brooklyn prosecutors want the suspect to face the maximum penalties for his actions, his lawyers are recommending no more than a 20-year incarceration sentence.

According to reports, the 56-year-old was convicted of taking bribes that exceeded millions of dollars in order to keep violent Mexican drug cartels safe from prosecution. At the time, Luna denied all the allegations. Now, enough evidence was presented in court to determine the former security chief is guilty.

According to prosecutors, taking the bribes and allowing the violent cartels to continue committing crimes resulted in countless deaths in both Mexico and America. These deaths were the result of not only violence but also drug addiction.

Garcia Luna was Mexico’s number one security official between 2006 and 2012. Prior to accepting that position, he was the head of the country’s federal police force. Unfortunately, Luna was heralded as a hero in both Mexico and the United States, as most people were disillusioned into believing that Luna was fighting against drug cartels. Luna was even seen as a U.S. ally in the fight against drugs.

He has been pictured in the past shaking hands with former U.S. President Barack Obama. He also has photographs of himself speaking with Senator John McCain and former Secretary of State and Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Evidence in this recent trial suggests that Luna would accept millions of dollars from Sinaloa, one of Mexico’s top drug cartels, in exchange for providing specific information about rival cartels, drug transportation routes, and even information that helped cartels avoid raids. The information Luna provided sabotaged police operations and prevented the police from being able to apprehend important cartel leaders. It also helped the cartel transport over 1 million kilograms of cocaine into the United States.

During “El Chapo” Guzman’s criminal trial in America, he testified to delivering at least $6 million to Luna himself.

International Drug Crimes

Drug trafficking is a serious criminal offense that can result in significant consequences, especially when the drugs being trafficked are as dangerous as cocaine. Since these drugs often leave a trail of destruction and death, it makes sense that traffickers are prosecuted for contributing to the situation.

In Brooklyn, a drug trafficking conviction will result in at least 15 years in prison. The maximum sentence you could face is life in prison.

When drug trafficking crosses state borders or international borders, then you can be sure that your penalties will be enhanced.

If you’ve recently been charged with a drug-related crime in Brooklyn, then it’s important to hire a criminal defense attorney quickly. The right lawyer will help you determine the severity of your charges, the extent of the evidence against you, and the best possible defense strategies to use.

Schedule a free call with our team here at the Bukh Law Firm now to discuss your situation in more detail with an attorney.