Former chief of war against drugs sentenced for drug trafficking

The former head of security and war on drugs in Mexico has been sentenced by an American jury for drug trafficking.

Genaro Garcia Luna was found guilty of taking millions of dollars from Mexico's largest crime group, the Sinaloa drug cartel.

54-year-old Garcia Luna, who was declared innocent, was arrested in the state of Texas in 2019 and could be sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The ruling came after a four-week trial and three days of jury discussion at the US District Court in Brooklyn, New York.

He is the highest-ranking Mexican official to be tried in the United States.

Garcia Luna served as chief of public security during the administration of President Felipe Caldero between 2006 and 2012. Prior to that, he headed the Federal Investigation Agency from 2001 to 2006.