In a significant development in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking, Mexico has extradited Ovidio Guzman Lopez, also known as “El Raton” or “The Mouse,” to the United States to face narcotics charges. Ovidio Guzman is the son of “El Chapo” Guzman.
Ovidio Guzman Extradited To US
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He is currently serving a life sentence in a supermax prison in Colorado. This extradition represents a crucial move in the Justice Department’s relentless effort to dismantle the cartel’s operations. Ovidio Guzman’s indictment earlier this year is directly linked to the fentanyl crisis that has been plaguing the United States.
Fentanyl is a self-made and deadly synthetic opioid that has been used for a long time as a significant portion of drug-related deaths in the country, with nearly 200 Americans dealing with its effects daily. Guzman’s extradition is part of a broader strategy to hold those accountable for their roles in fueling this devastating epidemic.
The White House’s Role
The White House has expressed its support for Ovidio Guzman’s extradition, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with Mexico in the fight against drug-related violence and trafficking. This is a good sign of the relationship between the US and Mexico after a long-term tension.
The Capture & Operation
The tension grew when Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador tried to interrupt and stop a unit that was closely working with the US drug enforcement administration. Ovidio Guzman’s journey to extradition began with his capture in January in the city of Culiacan, located in the heart of Sinaloa, the cartel’s stronghold.
The operation performed was very costly combined with 29 lives lost, including 10 military personnel and 19 alleged criminals. The intense clashes and chaos that ensued highlighted the cartel’s determination to free Guzman.
Ovidio Guzman’s Alleged Crimes
Guzman’s extradition comes on the heels of allegations that he and his brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, oversaw massive methamphetamine labs in Sinaloa state, producing staggering amounts of meth every month. According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement report, Guzman had also planned the murders of a drug supplier, informants, and a Mexican singer who refused to perform at his wedding.
The Impact Of The Extradition
Ovidio Guzman, at 33 years old, now faces justice in the United States, just as his father’s wife, Emma Coronel, was released from a California halfway house after serving a sentence for her involvement in Chapo Guzman’s narcotics activities. This extradition represents a significant victory in the ongoing battle against fentanyl and the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations.
