NEW YORK – Former top Mexican security official Genaro Garcia Luna pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to drug trafficking charges, including a new one of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise that could add 20 years to his sentence if convicted.
In a hearing by video, to which reporters had access by phone, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan read all charges to Garcia Luna.
The new charge, added in July, involves violations of trafficking 5,000 kilos of cocaine in 2008; 23,000 kilos in 2007 and 19,000 kilos that same year.
In January, the former Mexican official pleaded not guilty to charges of cocaine trafficking conspiracy and a false statement.
Garcia Luna lived in Miami before his arrest in 2019 in Texas.