They may think they're sending a drug dealer to jail/prison for ~5 years or so, so that's the point of notifying them beforehand to some of the old folks that may be on the jury.
I think 5 years would be getting off lightly. This is something they care deeply about and they will want to destroy him as an example to others.
And I don't have faith that any average joe will see this other than "super criminal drug baron".
edit: oh, right, this is what you were saying.
I think the best chance is to focus on his political and non-violent beliefs, paint this as a political act. (Which it seems to have been.)
Oh, except the prosecution are wise to that and are trying to restrict him bringing his politics into it.