El Chapo Aide Pleads Guilty to Distributing Drugs in Chicago

One of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera's most trusted chief aides is now on trial in a federal court in Chicago, Illinois for the distribution of cocaine and heroin. Known as the "Engineer," the El Chapo aide, Felipe Cabrera Sarabia, 51, pleaded guilty to his crimes.

According to the Associated Press, "The Engineer" is charged with "distributing more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and more than 30 kilograms of heroin."

Despite the guilty plea, however, Cabrera Sarabia reportedly told U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman through an interpreter that he had always lived as a "cattle rancher."

He was originally extradited to the United States in June 2020 and is facing a minimum of 10 years in prison, with a possibility of life imprisonment, His sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2023.

Top El Chapo Aide Involved in a Meeting Between El Chapo and El Mayo in Chicago

During the hearing, one of the prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Erskine, told the judge that Cabrera Sarabia was in Chicago on October 2008. He reportedly took part in a secret meeting between some of the Sinaloa Cartel's big bosses, including El Chapo himself, as well as co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and the cartel's Chicago boss Margarito Flores.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that at the time of the meeting, Margarito Flores, as well as his twin brother, Pedro Flores, have both agreed to cooperate with federal authorities.

It was revealed that the Chicago boss agreed to buy heroin from El Mayo, with Cabrera Sarabia then calling the Flores Twins for a follow-up. Margarito was then quoted by the prosecutor, saying that he told the El Chapo aide that "the heroin from Guzman was better than the heroin from Zambada."

"The Engineer" was paid $715,000 as part of the deal, according to Erskine, and he also offered to look into the matter and send in heroin that is closer to El Chapo's quality in the future.

As for the Flores Twins, the former Chicago bosses of the Sinaloa Cartel were sentenced to 14 years in prison after cooperating with the feds. Their wives were also indicted for money laundering,

Who Is Top El Chapo Aide Felipe Cabrera Sarabia?

A few years after that clandestine meeting in Chicago, Cabrera Sarabia was finally caught in the mountainous northern state of Durango and part of Chihuahua.

According to the El Paso Times, U.S. officials have been trying to extradite the drug lord for a long time. Their request was finally granted in 2020 when Mexico extradited "The Engineer" to the United States where he is facing drug trafficking charges.

Cabrera Sarabia used to oversee the Sinaloa Cartel's marihuana operations and even got his start in the illegal drug trade through marijuana. He and his three brothers rose through the Sinaloa Cartel's ranks, with "The Engineer" even becoming one of El Chapo's most trusted aides.

He was also known for being one of the cartel's deadliest leaders as he was not shy about using violence against his rivals.

READ MORE: Violence in Sinaloa After El Chapo Son's Arrest

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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