Key witness testifies about bribing ex-Mexico security chief

NEW YORK -- A key prosecution witness testified Monday that he delivered millions of dollars in payoffs destined for former Mexican public safety chief Genaro Garcia Luna but that the two didn't directly discuss what the money was allegedly buying: impunity for the infamous Sinaloa cartel.

Former member Jesus "El Rey" Zambada testified at Garcia Luna's U.S. drug trafficking trial four years after catalyzing the case by airing allegations about Garcia Luna at the trial of Sinaloa kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Garcia Luna was subsequently arrested; he denies the charges.

Zambada is the latest in a series of ex-cartel members and admittedly corrupt former law enforcement officials to testify against Garcia Luna. The former cartel member echoed descriptions of cocaine shipments by planes, trains and even submarines, abetted by police and officials under Garcia Luna's oversight -- and, Zambada said he was told, by the federal police leader-turned-presidential cabinet member himself.

Zambada described an arm's-length quid pro quo. He said he made payments to Garcia Luna through an intermediary who told him that the security chief would shield the cartel, which the witness' brother, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, helped lead.

The relayed message: "He was going to provide protection to my brother. He's not going to bother him. He was going to let him keep on working just as he had been," Jesus Zambada testified, through an English-language interpreter.

He said he was told that when the cartel wanted friendly police commanders in various locales, Garcia Luna would help. And indeed, the cartel was able to get its preferred commanders placed, Zambada said.

The alleged intermediary died in 2010. Zambada didn't say he personally handed money to or got assurances from Garcia Luna.

Indeed, Zambada said he quickly excused himself when Garcia Luna showed up earlier than expected for a $2 million meeting with the go-between in a fancy Mexico City restaurant in 2006. Zambada told jurors it had cost another $3 million for a similar, earlier meeting.

On both occasions, Zambada said, he gave the money to the intermediary, who met with Garcia Luna in a private room at an upscale Mexico City eatery called Champs Elysees. Zambada said that at least the first time, he waited in a bar area while the discussions happened and watched the security chief leave with luggage that had been packed with cartel cash.

Garcia Luna indicated Monday he doesn't plan to testify at his trial. His lawyers haven't yet had their turn to present witnesses.

The attorneys have argued that the prosecution is relying on untrustworthy criminals who are cooperating with the government to trim their own sentences or to avenge themselves on Garcia Luna for trying to crack down on the drug trade.

In questioning Zambada, defense lawyer Cesar de Castro emphasized that the witness admitted to conspiring in cartel killings.

"That makes you responsible for these people's deaths, right?" the attorney asked.

"Partly, yes," Zambada replied.

Zambada was arrested in Mexico in 2008 and extradited to the U.S. four years later. He pleaded guilty to drug and other charges that could have gotten him life in prison.

He ultimately was sentenced to 12 years after cooperating with the government. He is now on supervised release.

De Castro noted that Zambada didn't mention Garcia Luna until he'd met with U.S. prosecutors multiple times.

Garcia Luna led Mexico's Federal Investigation Agency from 2001 to 2005, then served as secretary of public security to then-President Felipe Calderon from 2006 to 2012. In the latter role, Garcia Luna was in charge of fighting drug cartels.

He moved to Miami in 2012 and became a security consultant.

If convicted, the 54-year-old could face decades in prison.