Alleged Mexican drug cartel leader pleads not guilty to conspiracy charges in Chicago

Alleged Mexican cartel leader pleads not guilty

CHICAGO — A man accused of being a leading figure in a powerful Mexican drug cartel has pleaded not guilty to charges that he conspired to import large quantities of heroin and cocaine into the United States.

Jesus Vincente Zambada-Niebla on Tuesday stood silently with a translator whispering in his ear while New York-based attorney Edward Panzer entered the plea Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo.

An extraordinarily heavy security contingent was on hand for what prosecutors are calling the largest international drug conspiracy trial in Chicago history.

Zambada-Niebla, who prosecutors say was a leading figure in the Sinaloa drug cartel, was charged in Chicago because prosecutors say much of the cocaine he had smuggled into the country ended up in the city.

(This version CORRECTS that Zambada-Niebla is considered a leading figure in the cartel, but not its leader.)