Federal prosecutors say they recently arrested a 51-year-old drug kingpin from just across the border in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
Court records show that Jorge Luis Castro-Mercado has pleaded not guilty to a dozen counts — including as conspiracy, possession and importation of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
A Tucson grand jury indicted Castro-Mercado in March, and the indictment was sealed.
Federal prosecutors say he was arrested this month while trying to cross the border and enter the U.S.
Prosecutors accuse Castro-Mercado of being the kingpin of a drug trafficking enterprise. He faces life in prison if convicted.
Records show he’s being held pending trial.
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