Laredo man enters appears in court on drug cartel charges

Associated Press - April 7, 2008 10:25 PM ET

LAREDO, Texas (AP) - A man accused with more than two dozen others in an indictment targeting drug cartel enforcers pleaded not guilty in federal court today.

Andres Alfredo Hernandez faces charges of drug conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, attempted murder, use of a juvenile to commit a violent crime and use of a firearm in a crime of violence and drug trafficking crime.

The Laredo Morning Times reports that Hernandez is among 32 people indicted in the case.

The indictment focuses on the Zetas, a feared group of enforcers for the Gulf drug cartel that includes former Mexican soldiers.

It alleges members of the Zetas used murder, kidnapping and money laundering to further the interests of a drug ring.

Prosecutors accuse Hernandez of acting as a go-between for an alleged Zeta member in Mexico.

Hernandez is a U.S. citizen with family in Laredo.

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