MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – October 17 (Gephardt Daily) — Fugitive drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has suffered leg and face injuries in a capture attempt but continues to evade law enforcement, Mexican authorities said.
Mexican Marines raided a ranch in southern Mexico after U.S. drug agents intercepted a cellphone signal suggesting the head of the Sinaloa cartel was hiding out near Cosala. Law enforcement helicopters were forced to turn back after taking fire from suspected Guzman security forces, but Marines on foot found cellphones, medication and two-way radios. Guzman fled on an ATV after suffering injuries.
Authorities would not provide specifics about the date and exact location of the operation, or how Guzman got injured.
A statement from Mexican authorities did say, “It is important to note that these injuries were not the result of a direct confrontation.”
The manhunt continues for Guzman who escaped July 12 from Altiplano Federal Prison in the town of Almoloya de Juarez of the State of Mexico. “El Chapo” escaped through a mile-long tunnel connected to a shower area in his cell shielded by a short privacy wall.
Closed-circuit video shows him entering the shower area twice fully clothed and bending down. The second time, he never resurfaced.
Guzman, the country’s most notorious drug lord, escaped from prison in 2001, reportedly while hiding in a laundry cart. He was captured after 13 years and was held at the federal prison since February 2014. before escaping again in July.
There is a $3.8 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
