Have you seen one of the world’s most wanted drug lords?
That’s what the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other law enforcement agencies want to know. Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman-Loera escaped a Mexican prison in July through a mile-long tunnel and U.S. officials are now offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his recapture.
The acting head of the DEA, Chuck Rosenberg, said he believes Guzman is in Mexico, probably hiding in his home state of Sinaloa, Mexico. But Rosenberg acknowledged that the elusive Guzman could be anywhere.
"I think he is still in Mexico," Rosenberg said in a meeting with reporters. "Do I know that? No. It's an educated guess."
The public can e-mail tips to law enforcement officials as well. North American residents can email tips to chapotips@USDOJ.gov. U.S. residents can call 844-692-4101 and residents outside the U.S. can call 001-844-692-4101. The tip line is managed by agents in the DEA’s San Diego field office.
Guzman has twice been captured and twice escaped. He was first jailed after being extradited from Guatemala in 1993 and escaped from a maximum security prison in 2001. Thirteen years later he was arrested again in the seaside resort town of Mazatlan and escaped again about 16 months later.
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Mexican authorities have announced a $3.8 million reward for Guzman, who is believed to have a net worth of about $1 billion.
The DEA and U.S. authorities continue to work with their Mexican counterparts on the search for Guzman, Rosenberg said. The $5 million reward is being offered by the State Department.
The Associated Press' Alicia A. Caldwell contributed to this report.
