A manhunt is underway after “the world's most dangerous drug lord” escapes from prison ... again.
The eader of the Sinaloa Cartel, Joaquin Guzman, also known as “El Chapo,” escaped from prison for the second time on July 11, 2015. He made his escape through a tunnel leading from the shower area of his holding cell in Mexico City, at Altiplano Federal Penitentiary. In 2013, Guzman was named public enemy No. 1 by the Chicago Crime Commission, a label also used for Al Capone back in the 1930’s, according to USA Today.
It’s no surprise that a drug lord that powerful would find the means and resources to plan a prison break, especially with all of the corruption in the justice system of Mexico, but twice? After his first prison break, in which Guzman escaped by hiding in a laundry cart, he was placed in the most secure facility in the country of Mexico, where officials swore he would not escape, according to USA Today. Clearly Guzman had help from outside sources, which just goes to show how powerful the drug industry is.
On a more local note, travel about 2,651 miles up to New Hampshire, and you’ll find Guzman’s cousin, Manuel Jesus Gutierrez-Guzman, who pleaded not guilty to charges that he planned to distribute over 1,000 pounds of cocaine, heroin and other controlled substances in the U.S. back in October 2014, according to the FBI. New Hampshire's border is only about 20 minutes from Merrimack College's campus, so we have a direct relative of the world's most notorious and feared drug lord wreaking havoc outside our backdoor.
Heroin seems to be the leading drug on the North Shore, with the arrests for opiate use, such as heroin, having tripled since 2013, according to the Eagle Tribune. It is estimated that this year alone there have been over 200 heroin overdose deaths in Massachusetts, many of which have happened right here in the North Shore. Heroin use is not restricted to any one demographic, though the average age is 36 years old. Anyone from teenagers to successful and established adults is vulnerable to heroin and overdoses due to “spiked” batches. Not all overdoses lead to death though, as Narcan, a prescription drug that helps reverse the effects of certain types of medicines, is able to revive victims.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a drug addiction contact the Drug Abuse Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
