Genaro Garcia Luna Sentenced to 38 Years in US for Protecting Sinaloa Cartel Traffickers

Bribed by the Sinaloa Cartel

From 2006 to 2012, Genaro 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. Previously, from 2001 to 2005, the defendant was the head of Mexico’s Federal Investigative Agency (AFI).

Luna used his official positions to assist the violent Sinaloa Cartel (the Cartel) in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes.

Garcia Luna’s conduct included facilitating safe passage of the Cartel’s drug shipments, providing sensitive law enforcement information about investigations into the Cartel and helping the Cartel attack rival drug cartels, thereby facilitating the importation of multi‑ton quantities of cocaine and other drugs into the United States.

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 defendant was paid in U.S. currency, stuffed variously in suitcases, briefcases and duffel bags. The bribe amounts increased over the years as the Sinaloa Cartel grew in size and power through the assistance of the defendant.

Trial of Mexico’s Former Top Cop

Following a four-week trial in February 2023, Garcia Luna was convicted by a jury 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.

The trial consisted primarily of convicted turned cooperating drug traffickers who testified to their bribing of, delivering money and negotiating with Luna. Former members, including “El Rey,” the brother of recently arrested Sinaloa leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.

“El Mayo” is also facing Judge Cogan in the same courtroom and his next hearing is later this week after being rescheduled. Possibly in relation to the sentencing date of Garcia Luna, which had been postponed several times since his conviction over a year and a half ago.

Cartel members testified that bribe money was handed off to Luna 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 across the street from the US Embassy.

In exchange for the millions of dollars in bribes, the Federal Police Force leaked sensitive information that enabled the cartel to evade detection by law enforcement or use the information in attacks on rival traffickers. In 2012, with the end of Felipe Calderon’s presidency, Luna retired and worked in the private sector in the US.

After moving to the United States in 2012, Garcia Luna submitted an application for naturalization in 2018, in which he lied about his past criminal conduct on behalf of the Cartel in an attempt to become a US citizen which resulted in his being charged and convicted of making that false statement.

His defense attempted to show the jury numerous awards, accolades and even letters from former US Presidents and Political figures. As well as the former Director of the FBI offered during his application for US citizenship.

However, there had been several accusations before and during Luna’s trial of threatening journalists, witnesses, and attempting to bribe other inmates.

During the Mexican Senate session on October 16, just a few hours after learning of the 460-month prison sentence for Genaro García Luna, the Morena Party hung a banner to point out the links between him and his boss, former President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, with drug trafficking.

Borderland Beat Articles on Luna

Sources DOJ, La Jordana, Keegan Hamilton