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For two and a half months, an anonymous and partially sequestered jury consisting of seven women and five men was seized of an affair that could be described as "international drug trafficking 101." They heard testimony about unspeakable torture and horrendous murder, epic corruption at almost every level of the Mexican government, narcotic mistresses and naked underground escapes, gold-plated AK-47s, and diamond-encrusted monogrammed pistols.
"This trial allowed the American public to fully understand how these powerful drug cartels work," said Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
He could be sentenced to life imprisonment if he is convicted of pursuing a criminal enterprise.
A flood of narcotics that no fortification at the border could stop
For 38 days of trial, the rise and fall of the Mexican drug lord, almost mythical, would have Pocketed nearly $ 14 billion over the decades from Sinaloa's murderous cartel took center stage in Room 8A of the East District Courthouse in downtown Brooklyn.
"The wall will stop none of this," Bagley said.
"The problems faced by the United States in putting an end to these networks operating in the United States are enormous – it is beyond the capabilities of our law enforcement agencies."
The charge was largely based on 200 hours of testimony by 56 witnesses. including 14 co-operating witnesses – mainly traffickers and accomplices – whom a defense lawyer described as "liars for life" willing to perjure themselves in exchange for reduced sentences.
There were also surveillance photos, intercepted phone calls and text messages with Guzmán, blinging firepower shows, and cocaine bricks that had fallen under duress bags of potatoes.
"I think the most damaging evidence against Chapo Guzmán was the interception of wires in which he was negotiating sources of supply," said Vigil, who spent more from a dozen years to work with the DEA in Mexico and along the border.
"It is very difficult to defend yourself when Chapo Guzmán himself negotiates for drugs or talks to a distributor and his voice is recorded."
The proceedings sometimes resembled a soap opera in Latin America.
"This is a confirmation of the massive generalized corruption and highlights the difficulty for the US government under the presidents (George W. Bush), under (Barack) Obama and now (Donald) Trump to find viable partners "said Bagley.
"With or without El Chapo, these lines of corruption, these lines of corruption extend to all political parties at all levels of the Mexican government."
Daily drama has attracted celebrities and so-called narco-tourists attracted by the soap opera atmosphere in Latin America. Guzmán appeared in suit and tie every morning, waving and smiling at his former wife, Queen of Beauty, Emma Coronel, a second-rate regular.
"Until today, I'm confused, I thought it was a romantic relationship, as a partner," she testified, stirring up laughter from Coronel.
The next day, as a sign of solidarity, Coronel and El Chapo appeared in court wearing matching velvet jackets
In blue prison uniform, Sanchez recounted one of the many legendary escapes from Guzmán .
One night in February 2004, she was in bed with Guzmán in a hiding place on the outskirts of Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa. During a raid led by a team of Mexican sailors and a DEA officer, the tiny pillar king escaped – naked – into one of his iconic tunnels dug under a bathtub.
Guzmán is going away, but his 13 years of service will end up crushing a few days later – until he escapes again in 2015
The IT manager of El Chapo helped to bring it down
[19659002] El Chapo's own paranoia and his obsession with the electronic surveillance of his wife, his mistresses and associates contributed at his fall.
After opening Guzmán's encrypted spy phones and spyware for the FBI, Rodriguez fled to the United States. He provided the federal government with access to text messages and cell phone conversations that El Chapo had with cartel associates, his lover and his wife, many of which were presented as evidence.
"Obviously, he was starting to go astray," he said. Bagley. "He was extremely comfortable in his role."
Lichtman questioned the credibility of a procession of cooperating witnesses who, he said, "lied every day of their lives – their miserable and selfish lives."
He reintroduces a theory of defense that the true leader of the Sinaloa cartel is Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a long-time associate of Guzmán, now 70 years old. According to the theory, Zambada – which is also cited in the indictment against Guzmán – bribed the Mexican government for it to coat El Chapo and remain free to rule the cartel.
Federal Counsel Amanda Liskamm, in her rejoinder, reminded the jury that Guzman, not Zambada, was on trial.
"We do not have to prove that the accused was the supreme leader," she said.
"We do not even have to prove that it was one of the three The rulers … Even under (according to Zabada's theory, the defendant is still a boss.) He is still guilty. "
The capture of Guzmán in 2016, his extradition a year later late and his probable conviction this week have not yet been – and will not diminish – the power and reach of the Sinaloa cartel, according to experts.
"This will not affect the l & # 39; future of the cartel, "said Bagley." In the end, a lot of other people are waiting behind the scenes.The jockey has already started. "
Sonia Moghe of CNN and Maria Santana contributed to writing this report.
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