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Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the boss of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, has been on the run since he busted out of a maximum security prison cell in July. State officials said they recently closed in on Guzman in northwestern Mexico.
Guzman, the kingpin of the Sinalo drug cartel, was hiding at a ranch near Cosala in the rugged mountains in western Mexico when Mexican marines, working with US drug agents, raided the ranch
in helicopters but were forced to turn back after coming under fire. Marines then entered the camp on foot, but Guzman and his accomplices had already fled on ATVs.
In a statement, the Mexican government said it had worked with international agencies to capture Guzman. It said:
“As a result of these actions, and to avoid his capture, in recent days, the fugitive engaged in a hasty retreat which, according to the information received, caused him injuries to one leg and the face… It’s important to clarify that these injuries were not a product of a direct clash.”Guzman escaped the Mexican prison in July by sneaking out of a masterfully built, mile-long tunnel that connected his cell shower to freedom. An intense manhunt was underway for the drug lord, who is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.
Days after his brazen breakout, Guzman was pictured sipping a beer and flying in a private plane in taunting photos released by his son. The July jailbreak was the second time Guzman escaped prison.