Top Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzman, known as El Chapo
or “Shorty”, has escaped from a maximum security prison for a second
time, officials say.
or “Shorty”, has escaped from a maximum security prison for a second
time, officials say.
In a statement, Mexico’s National Security Commission
said Guzman was last seen in the showers of the Altiplano jail late on Saturday
night.
said Guzman was last seen in the showers of the Altiplano jail late on Saturday
night.
He was the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, which smuggles
huge amounts of illegal drugs into the US.
huge amounts of illegal drugs into the US.
His recapture in 2014 was hailed as a victory for
Mexico’s government.
Mexico’s government.
Officials say that Guzman’s escape was discovered when officers
checked his cell in the Altiplano prison, which is near Mexico City.
checked his cell in the Altiplano prison, which is near Mexico City.
A search operation has been launched and flights have
been suspended at a nearby Toluca airport.
been suspended at a nearby Toluca airport.
Guzman escaped from a Mexican high-security prison in
2001. He hid in a laundry basket after bribing prison officials.
2001. He hid in a laundry basket after bribing prison officials.
He had been serving a sentence of more than 20 years
after being arrested in Guatemala in 1993.
after being arrested in Guatemala in 1993.
The US has indicted him on federal drug trafficking
charges.
charges.
His arrest last year was a success story for Mexican
President Enrique Pena Nieto. At the time of his arrest Guzman was paraded
before the media in Mexico City.
President Enrique Pena Nieto. At the time of his arrest Guzman was paraded
before the media in Mexico City.
