Seven Victims Found Decapitated Near Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's Old Turf
Amid reports armed gunmen recently stormed the home of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's mom, authorities are now also investigating the discovery of seven decapitated bodies found near the reputed drug kingpin's stronghold.
The remains of the seven men were discovered in Mexico's western Sinaloa state, otherwise known as the now jailed Guzman's old home turf.
Martin Robles, Sinaloa's deputy attorney general Martin Robles told reporters the seven men were loggers near the town of Rosario, located about 60 miles south of the Pacific resort of Mazatlan.
Could There be a Connection?
Word is authorities are not yet certain if Guzman's notorious Sinaloa cartel was involved in the killings.
Guzman is now being held at a prison near the U.S. border and facing possible extradition to the states on an array of federal drug-trafficking and money laundering charges.
Earlier this month the body of a Mexican soldier assigned to guard him was found near the prison with signs of torture to his body.
Guard's Slaying Still Probed
Jorge Maurico Melendez Herrera, 20, was part of the security detail assigned to guard the outside of the facility. Guzman has previously escaped from Mexican prisons on two different occasions.
His most recent escape occurred after he dredged through an underground tunnel leading from his cell to the outside world. He was recaptured earlier this year and recently moved to the facility near the U.S. border.
Melendez is reported to have died from a blow to the back of the neck. He had also been stabbed numerous times. As many as 300 soldiers have now been assigned to provide security around the prison.
Meanwhile, Mexican authorities are reported to have signed off on Guzman being extradited to the U.S., but attorneys for the reputed leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel are fighting the move. Several Mexican guards and other officials are now facing trial on charges they aided Guzman in his last escape.
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