The U.S. State Department has offered a $5 million reward for information that leads to the recapture of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman-Loera, the Mexican drug lord who made news in July when he escaped from a Mexican prison through a mile-long tunnel.
In a press release Wednesday, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced both the reward and a toll-free tip line for residents of the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America to call in order to offer any information that might result in El Chapo's capture.
"Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman-Loera has destroyed lives and communities throughout the United States and Mexico and his capture is a high priority for DEA," acting DEA administrator Chuck Rosenberg said in the release. "His escape poses a danger to the safety and security of both our countries. DEA will continue to work closely with our Mexican counterparts and provide as many resources as possible to ensure his arrest. "
The tip number is (844) 692-4101 for U.S. residents and 001-844-692-4101 outside the country.
Guzman-Loera has a long history of escaping prison. He was sentenced to 20 years for murder and drug trafficking charges, but he escaped a maximum security prison in Jalisco, Mexico, in January 2001. After his escape, he was a leader in the Mexican drug trade and a top member of the Sinaloa Cartel, the DEA release said. He was recaptured in February 2014, but escaped another Mexican prison on July 11.
That escape drew attention worldwide after it was discovered that he got out via a mile-long tunnel that was dug. In addition to charges in Mexico, El Chapo faces charges in numerous districts in the United States.
In a press conference this week, Rosenberg told the media it’s most likely the case that
Guzman-Loera is still in Mexico, RT reported.
Citing “institutional problems” in Mexico’s version of the DEA that make cooperation difficult, Rosenberg also said the two countries are working together to catch the drug lord.
“I know the Mexicans are trying everything they can to find him. They are working on it; we are working on it with them,” Rosenberg said, according to RT.
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