CHICAGO — A reputed lieutenant of captured Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman was to be sentenced Monday for his part in a $1 billion conspiracy to traffic narcotics to Chicago and cities.
The spotlight during Alfredo Vasquez-Hernandez's sentencing in federal court in Chicago will be on the credibility of two Sinaloa cartel associates-turned-star government witnesses, Pedro and Margarito Flores.
Evidence provided by the twin brothers in 2008 led to the Chicago indictments of Hernandez and 10 others, including Guzman and the Flores twins.
Hernandez, 58, of Mexico, is the first up for sentencing. He pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to distribute and faces a mandatory minimum 10-year prison term. He could receive far more time if the judge determines he was a key player in the cartel.
Hernandez was a close friend of Guzman, finessing his logistical skills to ship tons of heroin and cocaine by train from Mexico to Chicago concealed in bogus furniture cargo, according to the Flores brothers.
But defense lawyers accuse the brothers of exaggerating Hernandez's rank in the cartel to curry favor with U.S. prosecutors and ensure the lowest possible prison terms for themselves.