2 alleged Mexican drug cartel leaders to be tried in Chicago

A federal judge in Chicago says his intention is to try two alleged lieutenants of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel together sometime next year.

Judge Ruben Castillo’s comments came at a Tuesday hearing for Alfredo Vasquez Hernandez and Vicente Zambada.

Mexico extradited 57-year-old Hernandez last week and 37-year-old Zambada in 2010.

Hernandez entered a not guilty plea Tuesday. And Judge Castillo delayed setting a trial date for the men until a Dec. 12 status hearing.

Both suspects are charged under the same 2009 indictment. And Judge Castillo said attorneys for Hernandez need extra time to familiarize themselves with the case.

The slight, gray-haired Hernandez showed no emotion as he stood in court and listened to an interpreter during Tuesday’s proceedings. Zambada listened in by phone from his Michigan jail.