BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS (AP) -- An alleged high-ranking member of a Mexican drug cartel has withdrawn his guilty plea on immigration and weapons charges in federal court in Brownsville.

Jose Luis Zuniga Hernandez, also known as "Comandante Wicho," was arrested by Border Patrol with four others near the Rio Grande in October.

He was carrying about $20,000, cocaine and a gold-plated handgun.

Zuniga pleaded guilty in January to entering the country and to being a felon in possession of a handgun.

Heriberto Medrano, a new attorney for Zuniga, told the judge Monday that Zuniga crossed because he was in immediate danger. He intends to go to trial.

Authorities believe Zuniga had supervisory authority over the cartel's Matamoros operations.

Medrano said the government offered nothing for Zuniga's plea and plans to seek a drug indictment.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)