Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is perhaps one of the most notorious drug lords in the world. He founded the Sinaloa cartel, an immensely global drug operation that had immeasurable power. His cartel is known for committing multiple crimes.

He was born into poverty and an abusive father who was also involved in the drug trade. Guzman entered the drug-trafficking business when he was a teenager, working for a Sinoloa rising dealer named Hector Luise Palma Salazar.

By his late 20s, he emerged as one of the smartest additions in the Mexican drug trade. He quickly developed his cartel to become the most powerful and dangerous drug traffickers across the globe.

He has been accused of ordering more than 1,000 murders. The hits included both henchmen, opposing parties, and other cartel leaders.

2001 Prison Break

On June 10, 1993, the Mexican government announced El Chapo's capture in Guatemala. He was brought to the Puente Grande maximum-security prison. The high-profile arrest was lauded by many, seeing it as a symbol of the government's willingness to take down cartels.

Authorities charged him for murder, kidnapping, and drug-trafficking. He allegedly ran a massive operation using a tunnel that ran from San Diego to Tijuana. He was extradited to Mexico and sentenced to 20 years and nine months in prison.

He had a very comfortable life in prison. The guards followed his every whim, allowing him to continue managing his drug empire from the correctional facility. He was even allowed conjugal visits.

Guzman eventually feared getting extradited to the US. On January 19, 2001, he made a grand escape with the help of bribed guards. A guard named Francisco Camberos Rivera, also known as El Chito, reportedly opened the door to his cell and helped him hop into a cart of dirty laundry.

The guard wheeled El Chapo through unguarded hallways, through wide-open electronic doors, and eventually to his freedom. He leaped into the back of a Chevrolet Monte Carlo and was driven away from prison.

An internal investigation discovered he had 71 prison guards, cops, and the prison director on his payroll. Authorities estimated he paid $2.5 million as bribery.

Following his escape, Guzman expanded his cartel over the next decade. In 2009, the Sinaloa cartel was raking in $3 billion annually, with Joaquin's net worth at $1 billion.

He quickly became America's most wanted drug criminal in which a $5 million reward was being offered for any information that could lead to his arrest. Guzman allegedly celebrated his marriage with a large gathering. Guests reportedly included police officers and local politicians.

2015 Escape

On February 22, 2014, El Chapo was captured a second time after hiding in tunnels for days. Authorities who raided his safe houses discovered dug up tunnels under his bathtubs. The success was considered a huge win for authorities.

He was locked up in a cell with no windows. He was allowed frequent visits and was only allotted $48 for basic toiletries. Guzman was given an hour outside of his cell a day. Guards monitored security cameras placed inside prison cells, as well.

However, on July 11, 2015, Guzman was seen going to his shower, which was in the camera's blind spot, and vanished.

An investigation found a tunnel underneath his shower cell, with the end leading to a house a mile away. The tunnel had a motorcycle adapted to a rail where Guzman rode to his freedom for the second time.

Authorities said prison guards ignored loud hammering sounds despite receiving complaints from other prisoners. Grainy footage revealed the drug lord turned up the volume on his televisual device to drown out the hammering noise coming from his cell's shower.

CCTV footage showed prison guards checking his cell out 20 minutes after his escape, but waited for a few more before going in and inspecting the escape tunnel.

The tunnel had proper ventilation and lighting. It was also 1.7 meters high, just tall enough so El Chapo would not crouch.

2016 Capture

Guzman was captured less than half a year later after he was involved in a shootout with Mexican marines. The United States hoped to extradite the kingpin.

As authorities waited for a decision on whether El Chapo will be tried in American soil, his cartel got involved in an assassination involving a judge.

Judge Vicente Antonio Bermudez Zacarias was jogging near his home in Mexico City when a gunman closed in and shot the judge's head at point-blank range. The judge died a short while later at the hospital.

Alcatraz of the Rockies 

He was extradited on January 19, 2017--18 years after his first escape. He was then placed in the United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility, a place also known as the 'Alcatraz of the Rockies.'

The prison houses the 'worst' criminals, and there are more guards than the number of prisoners. Everyone stay in their cells 23 hours a day. They are let out at random intervals and brought to an empty swimming pool.

The 7x12 feet cell has a bed, stool, and desk all made of concrete materials. It is also soundproof, effectively preventing prisoners from communicating with each other. The cell does not have a window, making it impossible for the prisoners to pinpoint their exact location.

The prison is equipped with motion sensors, remote-controlled, thick steel doors, and security monitors. The control room has a panic button, which will automatically lock every entry in the facility.

Should anyone make it outside the buildings, numerous armed guards stand watch in towers. There are also armed patrols accompanied by attack dogs. Prisoners will also have to scale a 12-foot razor fence.

Former wardens describe the prison as an eerily quiet and extremely clean prison. A former warden said it resembled a fresh version of hell.

The establishment is also in a remote location, making it easy for the guards to see any approaching vehicle. The lights inside the prison stay on all the time. Prisoners are allowed to watch on their television, but only religious broadcasts and education shows are shown.

The prison, also called Supermax, is supervised by highly-trained guards that are vetted to prevent corruption and escape.