Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzmán is found guilty on all counts
DENVER - The conviction of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman demonstrates the dedication and determination of the men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration to bring the world’s most dangerous and prolific drug trafficker to justice. Those who bring drugs and violence into the United States that destroy lives and communities will not be tolerated, nor evade DEA’s reach.
“El Chapo” is responsible for unthinkable amounts of death and destruction both in the United States, and in his own country of Mexico. Guzman’s deadly drugs destroyed many American families simply for greed and power. In addition, he used violence and death to ensure he kept that power in his home country.
“El Chapo” Guzman’s Sinaloa Cartel has long been the source for many of the distribution lines supplying methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana to markets within the Denver Field Division,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Denver Field Division William McDermott. “In recent years, these networks infiltrated virtually every corner of Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming with abundant supplies of highly potent and addictive methamphetamine. Sinaloa Cartel methamphetamine is as cheap and potent as it has ever been; purity levels routinely exceed 95 percent, even at the retail level. Additionally, the Sinaloa Cartel, under Guzman’s leadership, supply cocaine and fentanyl encountered in the Rocky Mountain markets through sophisticated and efficient transportation and distribution networks.”
This conviction is a huge victory for the thousands of DEA agents worldwide, and all of our law enforcement partners in the United States, in Mexico, and around the world, who worked tirelessly to bring this man to justice.
The success of this case is a testament to the strength of DEA’s relationship with our Mexican counterparts. This is not the end. DEA will continue to collaborate with Mexico to bring down the cartels and individuals who bring poison into our country and into our communities.
This verdict will show the world no matter who you are, or where you are located, or how powerful you become, the DEA will never stop and you will answer for your crimes. DEA will continue to pursue justice worldwide and protect Americans.