US prosecutors said last night that they will not seek the death penalty in their cases against the "king" of the Mexican drug cartel "Sinaloa" Ismael Zambada - "El Mayo" and Rafael Caro Quintero - a drug lord accused of organizing the 1985 murder of a US Drug Enforcement Agency agent, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Seventy-two-year-old Caro Quintero and 75-year-old Zambada pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges. The criminal cases are separate but similarly aimed at two of Mexico's most notorious drug lords, the AP notes.
It is not yet clear whether the removal of the death penalty signals a possible plea deal with one or both men. Their lawyers welcomed the decision but were cautious about what might happen next.
Caro Quintero's lawyer, Elizabeth Macedonio, said she and her client "look forward to resolving this matter quickly."
Savada's lawyer, Frank Perez, said the government's decision "marks an important step toward achieving a fair and just resolution."
The cases are being heard in the same Brooklyn courthouse where notorious Sinaloa cartel co-founder Joaquin "El Chapo" was convicted. Guzman, AP noted.