World
Mexico's most notorious drug lord escapes jail a second time
IMAGE: EDUARDO VERDUGO, FILE/ASSOCIATED PRESS
It was only last year that U.S. and Mexican law enforcement claimed one of their biggest victories in the "war on drugs" — the capture of notorious drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
Late Saturday, Mexico security officials announced Guzman had escaped from jail a second time. The fugitive was last seen in the shower area of the Altiplano maximum security prison outside of Mexico City.
The National Security Commission said in a statement that Guzman went to the showers shortly before 9 p.m. Upon checking his cell, authorities found it empty.
The 13-year chase after he first escaped jail — in a laundry cart, or so the legend goes — culminated in Guzman's capture in Mazatlán, Mexico in February 2014, the New York Timesreported.
Head of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, Guzman was captured in 2014 by Mexican marines with intelligence assistance from United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshals Service, among others.
A search operation for the fugitive began immediately in the surrounding area Saturday. Flights have also been suspended at Toluca airport near the penitentiary.
Additional reporting by the Associated Press
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