MEXICO-GUZMAN/UPDATE A walk through El Chapo Guzman's escape tunnel

Record ID: 147034

  • Title: MEXICO-GUZMAN/UPDATE A walk through El Chapo Guzman's escape tunnel
  • Date: 15th July 2015
  • Summary: ALMOLOYA DE JUAREZ, MEXICO (JULY 15, 2015) (REUTERS) ARMED SOLDIER OUTSIDE BUILDING WHERE JOAQUIN 'EL CHAPO' GUZMAN'S ESCAPE TUNNEL LED PRISON THAT HELD EL CHAPO AS SEEN FROM AREA OF BUILDING WHERE TUNNEL LED POLICE OFFICIAL ENTERING MOUTH OF TUNNEL IN BUILDING NEAR PRISON PERSON GOING DOWN TUNNEL STAIRS WALKING SHOT OF TUNNEL POLICE OFFICIAL WALKING THROUGH TUNNEL WEARING
  • Embargoed: 30th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAC4THRKNXM7ZBIXWMAJEQIU91L
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: This building houses the tunnel used by the world's most notorious drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, to carry out a brazen jailbreak on Saturday (July 11).
    Guzman sparked a massive manhunt after escaping from Altiplano prison on Saturday (July 11) night in a mile-long (1.5 km) underground tunnel that led from a shower into this deserted building, dealing a bitter blow for President Enrique Pena Nieto.
    Reuters television toured fugitive drug lord's escape tunnel on Wednesday (July 15), revealing a complex, well-hidden route that was air conditioned and allowed enough room for a quick exit.
    During the escape, Guzman reportedly disposed of a bracelet that only he and a few other high-risk inmates had to wear, and smashed bulbs lighting up the tunnel as he fled, authorities have said.
    Authorities believe there may have been a motorcycle waiting for his escape.
    The mile-long tunnel would have required noisy digging equipment and produced tonnes of dirt for disposal.
    Lawmakers from Mexico's Joint National Commission on Security were at the site amidst investigations into whether officials at the jail colluded in the drug lord's escape.
    The commission will present its findings at the site to fellow lawmakers.
    "The Bicameral Commission of National Security has walked through the prison and they've also walked through this place, this building that connected to the tunnel, through which this criminal El Chapo Guzman escaped and we want to inform you that tomorrow, at 6pm (2300 GMT), will be the appearance at the Chamber of Deputies. Because of the nature of the commission, we can't take questions, so I ask for your consideration regarding this and thank you for your presence," said commission head, Adriana Gonzalez.
    Mexico has announced a reward of 60 million pesos ($3.82 million) for information leading to Guzman's capture. Interior Minister Osorio Chong also reported security forces would redouble their efforts against the Sinaloa cartel and spare no expense to recapture Guzman, adding that the United States has expressed its willingness to cooperate in arresting Guzman.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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