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'El Chapo' jurors hear recording of alleged heroin deal

By Daniel Uria
Jurors in the trial of accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman heard a recording purporting to feature Guzman negotiating a drug deal with a drug trafficker. Photo by Jose Mendez/EPA
Jurors in the trial of accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman heard a recording purporting to feature Guzman negotiating a drug deal with a drug trafficker. Photo by Jose Mendez/EPA

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Jurors in the drug conspiracy trial of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman heard a recording allegedly featuring the accused Mexican cartel leader negotiating a drug deal.

The recording was provided by Pedro Flores, who testified that he and his twin brother Margarito Flores worked as a drug runner for Guzman between 2005 and 2008, before agreeing to cooperate with the government in the case against Guzman.

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In the recording, Flores can be heard negotiating a price reduction of "five pesos" -- which he testified was code for $5,000 on each kilo in the 20-kilo heroin deal -- with the man alleged to be Guzman.

"All right, I'll pick up the money tomorrow. That price is fine," the other man on the recording states.

Jurors also heard a second recording in which Flores and Guzman allegedly discussed how many kilos of heroin Flores would be able to move in a month.

After Flores states he would be able to get rid of 40 kilos, the man alleged to be Guzman mentioned a representative in Chicago would pick up the drugs later that week before wishing Flores well.

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"It was nice talking to you. Say hello to your brother," the second man said a the end of the call.

Flores testified he recorded the call on a store-bought Radio Shack machine two weeks before he and his brother turned themselves over to authorities.

The defense sought to question the legitimacy of the recording by comparing it to a 2016 video interview that Guzman allegedly recorded of himself answering questions by actor Sean Penn for a Rolling Stone magazine interview.

Defense lawyer William Purpura noted the voice in the video recording sounded deeper, slower and more deliberate than the fast high-pitched voice on Flores' recording.

"To your ears, do they sound like the same voice?" Purpura asked.

"Not really ... a little," Flores replied.

Flores agreed it would be possible to for the recording to be edited, but testified he didn't have the technical prowess to edit the recordings and that the government had certified their validity.

Purpura also questioned Flores about the 2003 killing of Latin Kings gang member Rudy "Kato" Rangel, who Flores testified was one of his drug suppliers.

He noted Flores' brother was seen in Las Vegas with Rangel's girlfriend at a banquet and viewing party for a boxing match between Oscar De La Hoya and Sugar Shane Mosley two months after Rangel's death.

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Flores testified that the two were together in Las Vegas but that they weren't involved in Rangel's death.

On Tuesday, Flores offered testimony describing his role in the U.S. operations of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Guzman has pleaded not guilty to a 17-count indictment for drug trafficking, murder conspiracy and money laundering and could face a life sentence in prison if convicted.

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