A son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán has been extradited from Mexico to the United States, the US Justice Department announced Thursday.
Ovidio Guzmán López, one of the major drug trafficker’s sons, is going to face federal drug trafficking conspiracy charges in the Central District of California, the Justice Department said in a press release.
“Ovidio Guzmán Lopez is in US custody,” the Justice Department said Thursday.
The extradition comes after chaotic scenes this week in which armed members of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel – El Chapo’s former cartel – launched a fierce battle to free Ovidio from the Mexican security forces.
The massive gun battle took place in Culiacan, Mexico, where Strauss and his men were initially able to free Ovidio from the custody of Mexican security forces. Ultimately, the Mexican government then released Ovidio in order to prevent a further bloodbath in the city.
This is a major development following the attempted raid that rocked Culiacán, Mexico earlier this week. Mexican officials have defended their move by saying the purpose of the extradition was to protect innocent lives.
The extradition is a rare and significant victory for the US justice system as well. Not only is it the first time a member of the Guzmán family has been extradited to the US, the US Justice Department said in a statement that it “will be a law enforcement priority” to bring justice for all victims of the extensive criminal enterprises El Chapo and his associates have operated for many years.
