El Chapo was just a “lieutenant” in the Sinaloa Cartel

According to Eduardo Balarezo, lawyer of drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán , U.S. prosecutors have evidence which proves his client was just a “lieutenant” in the Sinaloa Cartel and not the leader the prosecutors claim.

During a hearing in Brooklyn, Balarezo said that prosecutors disclosed evidence in the form of statements suggesting "El Chapo" – long regarded as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel – had played a lesser role in the transnational drug trafficking organization and that prosecutors should deliver the identities of the people who made the statements.

Balarezo also requested the trial – expected to take place this year – be moved from Brooklyn to Manhattan, where Guzmán is currently imprisoned, as the heavily guarded motorcade to be used to transport El Chapo across the Brooklyn Bridge would prejudice jurors against Guzmán by suggesting he is dangerous.

"El Chapo" has been held in solitary confinement since his extradition to the United States in January 2017 .

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