Washington: “El Chapo” which means ‘the shorty’ in Mexican language was the name given to Joaquin Guzman. Though, the name seemed insignificant, the man behind the name was not. Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is the one of the most notorious and brutal drug lords in the world. He was the head of the Sinaloa Cartel, which is the most sophisticated and violent drug trafficking enterprise operating from Mexico.
However, the 62-year old El Chapo’s reign of terror ended yesterday when a US Judge at a Federal court in Brooklyn sentenced him to life imprisonment for a period exceeding 30 years. The court also Guzman to forfeit $12.6 billion.
El Chapo achieved a legend status and is hailed as a hero in his home state of Sinaloa. He is like a Robin Hood like figure in this part of Mexico. He was born into a poor family and led a life of crime and brutality to reach the top of the drug business.
The jury found him guilty for trafficking tons of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana and also being involved in multiple murder conspiracies as the top leader of the drug cartel.
Guzman had escaped twice from maximum security prisons in Mexico. Once he escaped through a tunnel dug from outside the prison and which reached his cell. He is said to have used a GPS watch to give his exact location to the diggers.
The court heard about the brutalities committed by El Chapo including beating two people to pulp before having them shot. He is said to have his own cousin killed for lying to him and even ordering a hit against a person who did not shake hands with him.
Guzman also used to rape girls as young as 13 after drugging them. His henchmen and lieutenants have carried out hundreds of murders, tortures, and kidnappings.
During the trial many of his key associates and lieutenants testified against him.
His drug enterprise was so vast that once Forbes magazine put him on the world’s richest persons. He is estimated to have personal wealth of $1 billion.
The US has won a major victory in its war against drug trafficking after bringing El Chapo to justice. Though, the leader is in prison, the Sinaloa Cartel is still active and supplying drugs in US. However, authorities believe that his conviction will go a long way in controlling the drug menace in the coming future. Guzman, after all, is the highest profile Mexican drug lord to stand trial in the US.
