Ovidio Guzman’s Arrest: Four Men Involved in El Chapo’s Son’s Arrest Operation Released
Four of the 17 people detained during the arrest operation for El Chapo’s son, Ovidio Guzman, were released after their arrests were considered illegal, according to a ruling of a judge. JUAN CARLOS CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images

Four of the 17 people detained during the operation to capture Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, have been released.

According to Borderland Beat, a judge in Mexico ruled that the arrests of these four people were "illegal." However, it is not known how the illegality of the arrests was determined.

The Attorney General's Office noted that the remaining 13 people were charged and are now detained. Military troops arrested Ovidio at his home in the Jesus Maria community in Culiacan, Sinaloa, last January 5.

During the violent operation to capture him, at least 29 people were killed. Mexican police noted that 10 soldiers and 19 individuals suspected to be Sinaloa Cartel members were killed during and after the arrest of El Chapo's son.

Aside from the deaths, BBC reported that 35 military personnel were injured, and more than a dozen gunmen, including Ovidio were arrested. After his arrest, Ovidio was immediately taken to the Altiplano maximum security prison.

Last month, Ovidio, through his relatives, apologized to the people of Jesus Maria for the damage and terror brought about by his arrest and the chaos that happened afterward.

His relatives told Milenio that El Chapo's son said he was "sorry" and wanted this message to be passed or spread throughout the rural community as there was still fear because of what happened.

Many residents reportedly remained traumatized by the ordeal, while some expressed dismay over the state government because the support promised to them has yet to arrive. The United States has already asked Mexico to extradite El Chapo's son.

However, Ovidio's legal team is fighting the extradition request to keep him on Mexican soil and will not be detained in a prison in the U.S., where he will face charges in a Washington D.C. court that accused him of trafficking drugs.

Ovidio Guzman Lopez of Sinaloa Cartel Claims He's Not El Chapo's Son

Last week, Ovidio Guzman Lopez appeared before a federal judge in Mexico to be notified about the formal extradition request by the United States government.

During a video conference hearing at the Altiplano maximum security federal prison in Almoloya de Juarez town in the State of Mexico, Ovidio told judge Rogelio Diaz that his arrest was a case of mistaken identity and claimed that he was not El Chapo's son.

"I'm not the person they think I am, that the United States is asking for," Ovidio said.

According to Daily Mail, Alberto Diaz, the head of Ovidio's legal team, has asked for three additional days to present their argument supporting their claims that he is not El Chapo's son and that the extradition request does not meet the treaty guidelines between Mexico and the U.S.

Ovidio will reportedly have to undergo a DNA test to prove his claim that he is not El Chapo's son. His lawyer said he would file a request for an injunction against his client's extradition.

The U.S. formally requested his extradition last February 27. The U.S. Embassy's legal representative in Mexico presented the extradition request to the foreign ministry and attorney general's office.

El Chapo's Sons: The Los Chapitos

The four sons of El Chapo had reportedly assumed leadership roles in the Sinaloa Cartel after their father was arrested and extradited to the U.S.

Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are collectively known as Los Chapitos.

Under their leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel has continued to be one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels. The U.S. State Department has already offered $5 million rewards for any information that could help federal agents arrest El Chapo's four sons.

The State Department said the Los Chapitos are high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel and are each subject to a federal indictment for their involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Their father's former right-hand man, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, was reportedly the Los Chapitos' internal enemy number one.

El Chapo's sons have also been at odds with their uncle, Aureliano "El Guano" Guzman. El Chapo's brother is also reportedly a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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