Suspected Mexican drug cartel member pleads not guilty to charges

A suspected Mexican drug cartel member has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges lodged against him, a television report said Wednesday. 

A report on GMA News TV's News TV Live said Horacio Hernandez Herrera made the plea before the Makati regional trial court. 
 

Herrera's lawyer tried to have the arraignment deferred but this was opposed by the prosecution. Presiding Judge Tranquil Salvador Jr. decided to push through with the scheduled arraignment. 



Herrera was arrested on Jan. 11 this year during a buy-bust operation in Makati City. Seized from him were two kilos of cocaine. 

 

The accused had denied the allegations, and claimed that those who arrested him tried to extort money in exchange for his freedom. — RSJ, GMA News