NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Friday rejected an effort by
Joaquin Guzman, the accused Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo," to
dismiss a massive international narcotics conspiracy indictment on the ground
he was extradited improperly to Brooklyn.
While not challenging the merits of the case, Guzman's lawyers claimed
that the indictment violated the extradition treaty between the United States
and Mexico because Mexican authorities initially agreed to extradite their
client only to southern California or western Texas.
The lawyers questioned how Mexico could have suddenly consented to have
U.S. authorities hurry Guzman to Brooklyn in New York City to face charges
other than those for which his extradition had been sought, violating the
so-called Rule of Specialty.
But in a brief order, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan said Guzman had
no legal right to challenge the Brooklyn indictment because Mexico had not
objected to it.
"Here, there is no protest or objection by Mexico, nor is there an
express provision in the extradition treaty between the United States and
Mexico," Cogan wrote. "Therefore, defendant's motion to dismiss the
indictment based on an alleged Rule of Specialty violation is denied."
Michelle Gelernt, a federal public defender representing Guzman, had no
immediate comment.
Prosecutors accused Guzman, 60, of running a global cocaine, heroin and
methamphetamine smuggling operation as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, and
playing a major role in a decade-long Mexican drug war where more than 100,000
people have died.
Guzman faces life in prison if convicted. He is being held without
bail.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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