El Chapo Escape News: Mexico Detains Several Suspects Connected with Drug Lord's Prison Escape
Mexican authorities say they've detained several people connected to the escape of legendary drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, including the escapee's brother-in-law.
CNN reports Guzman's brother-in-law organized and planned the construction of the tunnel that El Chapo a maximum-security prison last July. Attorney General Arely Gomez did not release his or the other suspects' names.
Another detained suspect is alleged to be the mastermind of the escape plot. He was a member of El Chapo's legal team, and often visited the Altiplano prison where the drug lord was held to provide instructions and handle payments for others involved in the plan.
Other detained suspects included one of the Sinaloa Cartel's pilots, and the people who purchased the land on which the exit to underground escape tunnel was built.
Today we can confirm that the group responsible for planning, organizing and carrying out the escape from outside the prison has been broken up," said Gomez, via USA Today. "To be clear, no one is above the law."
El Chapo, who bears a nickname meaning "Shorty" in Spanish, escaped from the prison on July 11 though a hole in a shower stall. The opening led to a ladder, which brought the escapee to a tunnel fitted with motorcycle tracks. After traveling through the mile-long passage, it is believed he made his way 87 miles north to the city of San Juan del Rio, where he took off on a small plane to an unknown destination.
The fugitive again managed to evade authorities earlier this month, though he sustained injuries during his escape. Authorities did not elaborate on the exact cause of the injuries.
This is not the first time El Chapo has escaped prison. The kingpin broke out of a maxium-security facility in 2001 by hiding in a laundry cart. He spent 13 years on the run, until authorities were able to apprehend in 2014.
The U.S. has offered a $5 million award for information on El Chapo's whereabouts, while Mexico has offered $3.8 million.
"We will keep working together until we achieve his recapture," said Gomez. "Guzman managed to escape from prison, but neither he nor those who helped him will escape from justice."
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