Dallas, Texas — The State Department of the United States government has confirmed the arrest of Genaro García Luna, former Federal Public Security secretary during the presidential term of Felipe Calderón.
García Luna, who held the position of secretario de Seguridad Pública federal, was arrested in Dallas, Texas Monday by U.S. authorities. In a statement, Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said García Luna is accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes from the Sinaloa de Guzmán Cartel “while controlling the Mexican Federal Police Force and responsible for ensuring public safety in Mexico.”
“García Luna is accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes from the Sinaloa de Guzmán cartel. The arrest demonstrates our determination to bring to justice those who help cartels inflict devastating damage in the United States and Mexico, regardless of the positions they held while committing their crimes,” said the prosecutor.
According to charges presented by the Justice in New York, from 2001 to 2012, while occupying high-ranking positions in the Mexican government, García Luna received millions of dollars in bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel to provide their protection.
From 2001 to 2005, García Luna directed the Federal Investigation Agency of Mexico, and from 2006 to 2012, he served as Secretary of Public Security of Mexico, controlling the Federal Police Force.
Garcia Luna was arrested by federal agents in Dallas, Texas. The government will seek his transfer to the Eastern District of New York to face charges.
In a public statement, la Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) says they are also investigating Genaro García Luna, and when the U.S. completes their investigation, Mexico will request an arrest warrant for extradition purposes against Garcia Luna.
In the meantime, Mexico’s Prosecutor’s Office says they will support the U.S. with information regarding the charges against Garcia Luna, noting that those documents will be sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The charges against Garcia Luna include the crimes of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, false statements to federal judicial authorities, bribery, co-participation in various drug-related crimes and involvement in organized crime.
