The Mexican drug kingpin Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán is facing trial tomorrow, but it's business as usual for the billion dollar cartel he founded thanks to his two fave sons. Yes, even from the constraints of jail, El Chapo's business is flourishing.
'Like father, like son' is a saying that applies to brothers Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, who are allegedly directing El Chapo's business.
A recent letter from the US Attorneys preparing to try Guzmán's case states: "The defendant's sons remain in charge of his vast drug trafficking empire."
The letter, written to Federal Judge Brian Cogan, goes on to outline a terrifying warning to anyone thinking of standing witness and testifying against the powerful drug lord, stating: "There is no doubt that the defendant and his cartel have the capability, the resources and the will to harm cooperating witnesses and their families, even after they have been relocated."
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From El Chapo's violent history, you just know that these are not empty threats. Even while sat in a jail cell awaiting trial at Brooklyn federal court for money laundering and drug trafficking, his two sons have reportedly been running the drug empire with an iron fist.
Speaking to the New York Post, a former Drug Enforcement Administration source explained: "The brothers have engaged in significant violence. They have ambushed military people and they still have the resources to affect witnesses."
Apparently Ivan and Alfredo are El Chapo's favourite sons and he'd been grooming the pair to take over the business for some time. Although the latter was added to the DEA's 10 Most Wanted List last month, the source added that the pair haven't been caught yet because they are 'very much in control'.
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"But unlike their father, who believed in keeping a low profile, they are not in hiding and they love to show off," he said.
These two aren't the only relatives enjoying the fruits of El Chapo's crime - his wife, Emma Coronel, recently created an Instagram account under his name, sharing photographs of the drug lord to thousands of followers.
And while her husband waits for his fate in jail, she's not shied away from posting pictures on her own account showing off her lavish lifestyle, including a recent photo of an elaborate Barbie-themed party. And she even posted one of her at a shooting range, along with the caption 'practising'... yikes!
Although many have had a chuckle at her online antics, the retired DEA agent is less than impressed: "The whole story with her is so surreal. She goes around and flaunts her wealth and lifestyle in front of everyone's face."
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It looks like her cash flow isn't set to dry up any time soon as Ivan and Alfredo continue the family business. But for El Chapo, it could be the end of the line as he faces trial tomorrow for the accusations of leading the dangerous Sinaloa drug cartel, killing thousands of people and making billions of dollars from the export of cocaine, heroin and other substances.
As you'll likely already know, last time he was in prison he only served 16 months before building a tunnel out of Mexico's top security prison and escaping in a flash. If and when he's landed in a US jail, no doubt the prison officers will have him under constant surveillance.
Featured Image Credit: Agencia Federal de Inteligencia / PATopics: World News, Mexico, Drugs