Twins who ran major US drug ring sentenced to 14 years each

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge sentenced twin Chicago brothers to 14 years in prison each for running a nearly $2 billion U.S. drug franchise using cocaine and heroin supplied by Mexican cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

Prosecutors asked for leniency for Pedro and Margarito Flores at today's sentencing in recognition of their decision to become informants.

Prosecutors have portrayed the 33-year-old brothers as among the most valuable traffickers-turned-informants in history.

Chief U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo said they had "devastated" Chicago and the U.S. with their drug dealing.

For security reasons, the brothers pleaded guilty to a count of drug conspiracy behind closed doors at a 2012 hearing. Today was their first public appearance since they began to spill their secrets six years ago.