A New York judge ordered prosecutors to deliver evidence to the defense of Gerardo Mérida Sánchez within a 60-day deadline [1].

This order is a critical step in the legal proceedings against the former Secretary of Public Security of Sinaloa. The case involves allegations of links to the Sinaloa Cartel, and the delivery of evidence is required to ensure due process before the next hearing [2, 3].

Mérida Sánchez appeared before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan for his initial proceedings [4]. During that appearance, he entered a plea of not guilty [5].

Judge Catherine Polk presided over the hearing and addressed the strength of the government's case. "Hay evidencia abundante contra Gerardo Mérida Sánchez," Polk said [3]. The phrase translates to "There is abundant evidence against Gerardo Mérida Sánchez."

Following the not-guilty plea on May 15, 2026 [5], the court established the timeline for the discovery process. The prosecution must now hand over the materials to the defense team within the 60-day window [1].

While the legal process continues in Manhattan, Mérida Sánchez remains in custody. He is currently detained at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center [4].

Regarding his plea, Mérida Sánchez said, "Me declaro no culpable" [5]. This statement, meaning "I plead not guilty," sets the stage for a contested trial as the defense reviews the evidence provided by the New York prosecutors [1, 2].

“"Hay evidencia abundante contra Gerardo Mérida Sánchez"”

The order for evidence delivery marks the transition from the arrest and arraignment phase to the discovery phase of the trial. By stating there is 'abundant evidence,' the judge has signaled a high level of confidence in the prosecution's initial filings. For the former Sinaloa official, the next 60 days are critical as his defense team will attempt to find gaps in the government's narrative before the next scheduled hearing.