Tope Oshin
Mexico has started the process of extraditing drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to the US following his dramatic recapture.
Interpol officers served one of the world’s most wanted men extradition papers to the US at the Altiplano prison over the weekend.
According to Mexico’s attorney general, Interpol Mexico agents went to Guzman’s prison to execute two arrest warrants.
Guzman, who was once named Public Enemy Number One in the US, escaped from the maximum security jail near Mexico City in July before being recaptured on Friday.
The 58-year-old, who remains one of the most famous drug traffickers as the head of the Sinaloa Cartel, captured headlines across the world after he escaped from jail through a tunnel dug in the showers.
He had been has been indicted by at least seven US federal district courts and could now face charges of smuggling vast amounts of drugs into the country.
However, Mexican officials have warned that the extradition could be a lengthy process full of legal appeals and tactical maneuvering.
Guzman’s lawyers can raise motions to block any extradition attempt and the process has to go through the judicial system.
Guzman’s attorney Juan Pablo Badillo has said the defense has already filed six motions to challenge the request.
The news comes as Mexico revealed they are also considering whether to investigate Hollywood actor Sean Penn, who interviewed Guzman soon after his jail break.
Mexican officials claim that the secret meeting in a jungle hideout eventually led authorities to El Chapo’s hideout.
During the interview with Mr Penn, Guzman declared: “I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world.”
Mexican authorities have attributed more than 30,000 deaths to Guzman’s drug reign.
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