Genaro García Luna in a March 9, 2012 file image (Alfredo Estrella / AFP / Getty Images).
(CNN Spanish) -
The former Secretary of Public Security of Mexico during the government of former President Felipe Calderón, Genaro García Luna, pleaded not guilty this Wednesday to all charges against him for crimes related to drug trafficking, allegedly committed between 2001 and 2020.
García Luna responded in this way to the five charges against him in a New York court.
This includes alleged continued involvement in a criminal enterprise in which he would have supervised or directed various co-conspirators for profit.
Other charges include conspiracy to obtain, import and distribute thousands of kilograms of cocaine in the United States, in addition to allegedly making false statements to US immigration officials.
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Prosecutors seek to seize all assets and properties obtained by García Luna as a result of his alleged criminal conduct.
The former cabinet official of former President Calderón will have a new hearing on December 7.
The role of the pandemic in the case of Genaro García Luna
Judge Brian Cogan reiterated that this is a complex case.
And he explained that even more because of the challenges and delays posed by the covid-19 pandemic.
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In addition, the pandemic has caused concern for García Luna and his legal team.
In April, Cogan rejected a request by the former Mexican official to allow him to be released on bail from the maximum security prison in Brooklyn, New York, where he is being held.
The former Secretary of Security argued that he was allegedly in danger of contracting coronavirus.
This Tuesday's hearing, held virtually, was initially interrupted by a side episode between the judge and some journalists.
The episode happened after some of these initially ignored the order to silence their phones.
Once they did, the judge resumed the hearing.
Genaro Garcia Luna