Overview
These notes present the story of El Chapo and the complete sequence of events about his astonishing escape from Mexico's most secure prison, Altiplano, the dark empire of drug trafficking, arrest, and extradition to the United States.
El Chapo's Early Life and Entry into Crime
- El Chapo was born in 1957 in a poor family in the state of Sinaloa.
- After studying only up to the third grade, he did small jobs to support the family.
- The desire to get rich quickly pushed him into drug cultivation at the age of 15.
- Leaving the rural area, he stepped into the world of crime and adopted the name El Chapo.
Rise in the Drug Cartel
- Started as a contract killer, later joined the Guadalajara Cartel.
- Established his cartel 'Sinaloa Cartel' in 1989.
- Adopted many innovative methods, including underground tunnels, for drug supply.
- The cartel spread its network in over 50 countries and generated huge revenue.
Arrest, Prison Life, and First Escape (2001)
- Arrested in 1993, sentenced to 20 years in the Pente Grande prison.
- Bribed prison officials to enjoy comfort and run business even inside the prison.
- Escaped in 2001 by bribing the jail guards and hiding in a laundry cart after a Supreme Court order.
Expansion of Empire Again and Second Arrest (2014)
- Expanded the cartel and eliminated rivals after escaping from prison.
- Arrested again in 2014 after a military operation and was put in the super-secure Altiplano prison.
Sensational Escape from Altiplano Prison (2015)
- A tunnel was dug from the shower area's blind spot in the cell.
- A GPS tracker hidden in a watch was used.
- El Chapo escaped from the prison at night by creating an almost 1 km long tunnel.
Final Arrest and Extradition to the United States
- Arrested again in 2016 after an encounter.
- Extradited to the United States in 2017 and tried in New York court.
- Sentenced to life imprisonment and fined 12 billion dollars in 2019.
- Now he is imprisoned in America's supermax prison, but the fear of a potential escape still remains.
Major Security Lapses and Administrative Response
- Each escape revealed the complicity of jail officials/guards.
- Action was taken against suspect guards and wardens after his escape.
- The U.S. declared a high reward on his capture.
Conclusion
- Extradition of El Chapo to the United States.
- Life imprisonment and heavy fine by the U.S. court.
Action Items
- 2016 тАУ Mexican Authorities: Action against suspect guards and review of jail security.
- 2017 тАУ U.S. Authorities: Secure extradition of El Chapo and conduct the trial.
- TBD тАУ Security Agencies: Continuous monitoring of potential escape attempts by El Chapo.