The legal team for Mexican drug-lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán have filed papers calling for his case to be dismissed, because he was 'improperly extradited' to Brooklyn.
According to the New York Daily News, Guzmán's lawyers have claimed the Mexican government initially only agreed to transport the infamous cartel-leader to either Texas or California. So, by hauling him to Brooklyn, they were in breach of the Mexico-US extradition treaty.
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They have also alleged that had Mexico been aware of the 'the extraordinarily harsh conditions' of his US confinement, it wouldn't have agreed to the extradition in the first place.
The court papers state: "These conditions... are tantamount to torture. Had Mexico been advised of these conditions, it almost certainly would not have consented to Mr Guzman's detention and prosecution in this district."
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His lawyers will also challenge the US government's attempt to seize $14billion (£10.7billion) in purported drug profits. The papers state there is 'no evidence' the US gained proper permission from Mexico to go after the funds.
Brooklyn Federal Court Justice Brian Cogan has yet to rule on the motion.
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Guzmán, who is the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel and became a household name after two high-profile prison breaks, is facing 17 charges, including money laundering and manufacturing and distributing drugs.
Guzmán's trial is set for April next year, according to the New York Post, and if found guilty, Guzmán will most likely spend the rest of his life in prison.
His legal team have previously spoken out about the conditions he is being kept in.
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Earlier this year, Judge Cogan slightly relaxed some of the
strict rules, meaning he can now share letters with his wife, once they have
been screened by officials, however he still can't receive visits or phone
calls.