Genaro Garcia Luna, the former Secretary of Public Security in Mexico from 2006 to 2012, was sentenced to 460 months’ imprisonment and a $2 million fine for his decade-long assistance to the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes.
The sentencing occurred on February of 2023, in United States District Court. Garcia Luna was found guilty of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, international cocaine distribution conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to import cocaine, and making false statements.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Anne Milgram, Administrator, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Katrina W. Berger, Executive Associate Director, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), announced the verdict.
“Today’s sentencing of Genaro Garcia Luna is a critical step in upholding justice and the rule of law. His betrayal of the public trust and the people he was sworn to protect resulted in more than one million kilograms of lethal narcotics imported into our communities and unleashed untold violence here and in Mexico. This sentence sends a strong message that no one, regardless of their position or influence, is above the law,” stated United States Attorney Peace.
As proven at trial, from 2006 to 2012, Garcia Luna was Mexico’s top law enforcement official, serving as Secretary of Public Security and, in that capacity, controlled Mexico’s Federal Police Force. He used his official positions to assist the violent Sinaloa Cartel (the Cartel) in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes.
In exchange for bribes, the defendant’s Federal Police Force acted as bodyguards and escorts for the Cartel, allowing Cartel members to wear police uniforms and badges and helping to unload shipments of cocaine from planes at Mexico City’s airport, then delivering the cocaine to the Cartel. The bribe amounts increased over the years as the Sinaloa Cartel grew in size and power through the assistance of the defendant.
Former members of the Cartel testified that bribe money was handed off to the defendant in a variety of locations, including at a “safe house” located in Mexico City where large amounts of cash were hidden in a false wall, at a car wash in Guadalajara, and at a French restaurant in Mexico City.
Defendant: Genaro Garcia Luna
Criminal Charges: Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, international cocaine distribution conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to import cocaine, and making false statements
City and State: New York
Exact Date: February 2023
Sentence: 460 months imprisonment, $2 million fine
Dollar Amounts: $2 million fine
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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