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Reputed Drug Cartel Member To Change Plea In U.S.

A cousin of one of the world's most notorious drug lords is due in a New Hampshire court for a change of plea hearing.

Manuel Jesus Gutierrez-Guzman had pleaded not guilty to charges that he planned to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine in the United States, including in New Hampshire. His hearing is Thursday in federal court in Concord.

Prosecutors say his cousin is Joaquin Guzman, who led the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico until his arrest in February.

During meetings with undercover agents, Gutierrez-Guzman said he was a direct representative of his cousin, who is known as "El Chapo."

He was arrested in 2012 in Spain with two others still awaiting trial. Another man, Jesus Soto, pleaded guilty last month in a separate, but related, case.

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