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NY.- Sergio Villarreal Barragán, “El Grande”, is the first cooperating witness of the prosecutors to testify against Genaro García Luna and affirmed that the former Mexican Secretary of Public Security received millions of dollars from the Sinaloa Cartel.
The first thing that prosecutor Erin Reid did before “El Grande” was to show him a photograph of García Luna, evidence number one.
“Do you recognize him?” Reid said.
“Yes”, answered Villarreal Barragán. “I saw him in several meetings.”
The witness said that he had seen García Luna in several meetings with Arturo Beltrán Leyvawho paid the former government official of Felipe Calderón.
He added, still without specifying figures, that “many millions of dollars” were given to García Luna in exchange for protection.
He explained that there are two types of corrupt officials who collaborate with drug cartels: some are those who receive money and “let them pass”, while the latter are part of the cartel’s activities.
“El Grande” pointed out that García Luna was of the second type of functionary.
At this time there is a recess of the questions and it is expected that the defense will continue later. It is possible that this cooperator will continue tomorrow.
García Luna’s wife, Linda Cristina Pereyra, and their daughter Luna, are in the room, where they have smiled at the former Mexican secretary on several occasions.
· All about the trial of García Luna