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Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, the world’s most notorious druglord, could be extradited to the US to face trial on trafficking charges amid fears no jail in his native Mexico could hold him.
Guzman (56,) who escaped from a high-security Mexican prison in 2001 by being smuggled out in a laundry truck, was arrested in a dawn raid at a beach resort on Saturday.
Guzman, leader of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel blamed for billions of dollars in drug dealings and thousands of drug-related slayings, was captured Saturday in Mazatlan, a northwestern resort city, not far from his headquarters in Culiacan, Reuters said.
Mexico has not indicated whether it would permit Guzman’s extradition until after he has served the remainder of a sentence in effect since he escaped from prison in 2001, Reuters said.
The US offered $5 million for information leading to Guzman’s capture.
A spokesman for Mexico’s attorney general declined to comment on the extradition request and President Enrique Pena Nieto’s office could not immediately be reached for comment, Reuters said.
Guzman was captured in a joint operation by Mexico’s Marines with help from US security forces, Reuters said.
US charges against Guzman include cocaine smuggling allegations pending in Miami, importing cocaine and marijuana pending in Texas, and sealed indictments in Chicago and Brooklyn.
Guzman’s capture was hailed as a major victory in the ongoing battle against drug crime, Reuters said.
Competing drug cartels in Mexico, including Guzman’s, are notorious for torturing and beheading victims and dumping their bodies in public places, Reuters said.
Reuters/Canadajournal
