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Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Secret escape tunnel: Details and Photos of operation to capture Chapo

Lucio R. Borderland Beat;  Written using material from AP, Televisa, Presidential Press releases

Highlights:

  • A lever hidden behind a ceiling light operated a mechanism opening a door behind the mirror, to descending stairs and escape route.
  • One bedroom were four DVD’s from the Kate Castillo series La Reina del Sur
  • Chapo and Cholo Ivan traveled through the sewer and emerged using manhole in the middle of an intersectionAt 4:40 a.m. 17 Mexican marines began their assault on a safe house thinking there was a good chance Joaquin "El Chapo" was inside
  •  A Marina element was wounded by gunfire almost immediately and remained outside the interior front door, while his comrades slowly advanced inside behind lobbing grenades and heavy fire
  • A Marina element involved in the operation,  gave Televisa a tour of the premises,  he relayed that there were more people inside the home than expected and they were heavily armed, including with rocket-propelled grenades and .50 caliber sniper rifles
  • Attorney general Arely Gomez told local radio that people in the house had ordered food for 13 people the night before the raid.
Escape tunnel


At 4:40 a.m. 17 Mexican marines began their assault on a safe house thinking there was a good chance Joaquin "El Chapo” Guzman was inside the Los Mochis home.

A Marina element was wounded by gunfire almost immediately and remained outside the interior front door, while his comrades slowly advanced inside behind lobbing grenades and heavy fire

A Marina element involved in the operation gave Televisa a tour of the premises, he conveyed that there were more people inside the home than expected and they were heavily armed, including with rocket-propelled grenades and .50 caliber sniper rifles

One gunman was killed in the main room just inside a front door riddled with bullet holes. On a tour Monday by an Associated Press photographer, the interior of the house looked much the same with bullet holes pocking its white concrete walls.
The stairs that the Marina commander repeatedly told elements to climb

The marines secured the downstairs rooms first

As they prepared to go upstairs a marine saw a man at the top of the stairs preparing to fire a rocket-propelled grenade. The marine hit the weapon with a couple shots causing the gunman to toss it, the marine guide said in the Televisa interview.

second floor
The wall above the stairs was particularly damaged by gunfire as gunmen tried to keep the marines from advancing.

Upstairs the marines found two women in a bathroom and two men in a room with a large television.
The home had four bedrooms and five bathrooms. On one upstairs bed were four DVDs from the series La Reina del Sur, starring Kate del Castillo, the Mexican actress who put Guzman in contact with the actor Sean Penn.

On a roof patio marines found tossed weapons and a ladder leading to a higher roof. It took about 15 minutes to secure the house. Then the marines followed the attackers across rooftops. Four more gunmen were killed in this pursuit.

There had been no sighting of Guzman

Knowing Guzman's predilection for tunnels, the marines began looking for an opening. Beside a ground floor bedroom littered with clothing, marines entered a walk-in closet and found an unusual panel behind a mirror. Guides showed the AP how a lever hidden behind a ceiling light operated a mechanism opening a door behind the mirror.
Mirror with a secret
Escape tunnel stairs behind mirror

It led to a set of descending stairs.
A six-foot tall tunnel complete with lighting, wood-paneled walls and a concrete floor led to more stairs and then a metal hatch opened into the city's storm sewer. Guzman and his security chief traveled several blocks through the meter-tall storm sewer before popping out in the middle of an intersection. They stole a car, drove a bit, and then stole another.
Federal police eventually found them on a highway outside of town headed for the mountains of Sinaloa.
DVDs of the Kate Castillo series

Room 51 a “Sex room” at the Doux

Initially, there were conflicting reports of Chapo and his chief of security, El Cholo Ivan, being captured at the Hotel Doux in Los Mochis.  Other reports said they were captured driving a carjacked red Focus, out of town and towards the Sierras.  The latter is correct.

However,  at first glance  those photos of Chapo and Cholo Ivan raised eyebrows.  Chapo was wearing a filthy “wife beater” and had cuts and scrapes, that could be seen all over his exposed skin.  Cholo Ivan was bare-chested and grimy as well. 

To be expected after running through the sewer in a crouched position. 

The contrast of the two, dog dirty, handcuffed men, sitting on satin bedding was amusing, but even more so when one knows they are in, a rent by
the hour sex room.  The first clue is the “artwork” of nude and scantily clad ladies adorning the walls. The Doux sex rooms rent for 4-6 hrs at around 3.50 USD per hour.

The Doux has regular rooms, in which you will not find the gold, pink and purple color scheme, light dimmers, candles, and  “for purchase”,  cards on the nightstand offer such things as vibrators, lubrication and condoms.

After being stopped, the men were taken to the Doux to be utilized as a holding cell, until reinforcement arrived.

It is doubtful the choice of room type chosen,  could not have been by happenstance.  Of course the
Marina jefe calling the shots  knew what he was doing by holding Chapo and Cholo Ivan in room 51.  He knew there would be speculation, humiliation, or the makings of a joke on Chapo. Chapo’s facial expression was priceless; he was very uncomfortable to say the least.  And on social media there was great speculation over Chapo and Cholo’s “relationship.  But there was no story there, and Chapo was not staying at the hotel.

As for the Los Mochis home, Mexico filed documents Monday to seize ownership of the Los Mochis home.  The home sits only 1 block from the home of  the Sinaloa governor’s mother.  The attorney general says that El Chapo had planned to make the home his home base safe house.





 gate to escape drain system
"The sewer"




71 comments:

  1. i'm guessing if Chapo & Cholo would of had an escape car parked/waiting out the other end of the tunnel they'd be free men instead of exiting & having to steal one from someone. on another hand, why was Chapo with a few people? thought he always had a mini army with him

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    1. Its funny that it was close to the governor's mother's house because its a pretty well known fact that him and Chapo have been friendly for a long time. I think it was Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo that was staying in the governor of Sinaloa's guest room back in the 80's. That's a classic. Chapo's political protection abandoned him in the end. The pursuit was too much. There's a lot of people however saying the marines in the video are heroes. I don't feel that way. Look at what they did back in October in the sierra. How many people did they slaughter? Not saying Chapo is good just that the marines are not either.

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    2. There were at least 13 people in the house. At least 10 of those were men who were heavily armed.

      He may have a mini army with him when he's in a remote mountain location and he has rings of lookouts and security in place. But when he's traveling and visits a city he can't exactly travel around with a mini army without drawing attention to himself.

      As it is the fact that there were so many people and that they were heavily armed drew attention from people in the neighborhood who reported armed men at the house.

      It's unrealistic to think that he is surrounded by some sort of mini army all the time.

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    3. When capos are in "safe" territory they usually travel with a small group of men and have local police be the look out

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  2. But why were they in Los Mochis in the first place?

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  3. 4 La Reina del Sur dvds? Chapo obviously had a crush on Kate

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    1. Good point. After reading the Rolling Stone interview, I'm starting to think that EC was koo koo for coco puffs over KDC...

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    2. Dicen que el penn se anda pisando a la zipota de la kate

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  4. @5:59

    See the escape plan looked perfect but you make one big mistake as to not having a ready getaway car and you get cought. He should of had cars with enough gas and supplies close to all his exist points ready for the getaway.

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    1. What I can't understand is that they knew if they were discovered they would be attacked by a superior force. They had escape routes planned, the tunnel to the sewer and over the roof tops. Why didn't they booby trap the whole house. Why didn't they all just leave when the spotted the Marines moving in and using a remote detonator and blow the house to smithereens after the Marines entered and were searching for them. At least it would have given them a head start.

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    2. having the house ready to blow at all times is risky. he should've had at least some drivers on the other side waiting for him at all times. but he was obviously somewhere he felt completely safe at. his friends in high places were not aware of what was happening so there was no warning

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    3. Guys I need to ask some of you a question,all of you think you are really smart and always have something to say about someone's capture or death,I wasn't there and I don't know what happened,but it clearly said they pop at a random street etc.it was a improvise atempt to escape,it wasn't planned,you can't have a car in every street waiting for you,this is not a movie where everything is planned and go's perfect,you have to understand that that they assumed they would someday use those tunnels to escape but when was it going to be was the question here,there's somethings you just got to go along as you go forward,just like they did and it sure didn't work this time

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    4. shorty will be in his new @ ADX Florance Range 13 soon enough ! O' you ask what is range 13 ? It is the most isolated area in ADX,numerous inmates have never seen or herd another human for up to 10 years.The guards call it the"human tomb" Sheriff of Baghdad

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  5. some guys didn't make it. Sure glad moved to the US in 2010

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  6. So he was at the hotel. He escaped through the mirror to a tunnel that led him to a man whole... Then they caught him, took him back to the hotel were he was took a picture of him inside the hotel. Wtf? Why would you take him back to the hotel room?

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    1. Read the story dude. he was never at hotel. Once arrested they brought him there while they were waiting for reinforcement. Just read the damn thing n u wont ask dumb questions

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  7. If chapo escapes one more time they should make that day a worldwide chapo HOLIDAY in which everyone celebrates el chapo and dosent work for that day worldwide.

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  8. What happened to the 300 jotos ondeados that protect Chapo and are commanded by el morronis?

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  9. Don't worry he will be out by thanksgiving. . Atye el morroñis de la palma navolato, sinaloa ajuuaa.

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  10. This is not his turf and he has tunnels built? It must be amazing what can be found in his turf.

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  11. Que viva El Senor Guzman

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  12. There's a video actually showing the two emerging from the manhole on the street. It was caught on a security video. I'll look for it.

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    1. really? wow I uess I missed one! yes please send link if you find it

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  13. Chapo lost people, 13 people with him? he lost friends and respect

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    1. Yeah true, u don't see nobody protesting his release

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  14. What was chapo doing in los mochis that's all Isidro turf do they have pact????

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    1. i keep asking the same thing. I have family in los mochis and they have been saying chapo was there in rotation, I blew it off mainly because it was second hand info and how's that working with isidro. highly doubtful he would have an alliance, remember he already made his choice and it was not chapo. Perhaps an non aggression agreement limited to the most northern part of the city? near the 15 from there to La Tuna is just an hr. I really don't know

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    2. There was an interview on univision the day of and they were asking a civilian if he noticed any changes to the city in recent days and he stated that people would say there was nothing out of the ordinary. Then was asked how was Los Mochis prior to his 2nd escape to after he escaped and he stated that before he escaped Los Mochis was known for another band to have control of it but once chapo escaped it felt like the plaza was given to chapo because the other group stopped operating there and would here chapo would be in and out of los mochis and have men there. One again this was a man that lived in Los mochis interview by univision the day of. Did anyone happen hear aswell?

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    3. Ohhhh Chivis.. If you woulda listened to yo fam, you coulda traveled to Los Mochis, conducted a lil investigation to pin point where in the city was the most activity going on.. & you coulda turned in Chapo!

      5mill from the U.S + 4mill from Mexico = 9mill in Chivis bank account lol.. & becoming a hero? Priceless

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    4. Ya but he considers all of Sinaloa his regardless of Isidoro no? And wouldn't Damaso help him out there too?

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    5. Isidro was Chapo's coat holder. Chapo is el jeffe maximo.

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    6. People who dont understand how this drug thing really work let me explain. El Chapo Guzman was not a silly man. You dont become the head of one of the most powerful organizations by being stupid or silly. El Chapo knew his time was up and the mexican government could no longer protect him. He wouldn't do anything silly as make a movie about himself unless he knew it was the end and he wanted to tell his story. The deal and agreement has already been worked for Chapo family to be left alone his wives protected and his mom left in peace. That was his sacrifice and the price he was willing to pay. El Chapo was an institution, he does not fight over plazas he supplies all other cartels or the majority of all other cartels and ask that violence be kept to a minimum. He is by no means dumb or stupid. He outlasted all the ones who started before him from the old school. Stop believing this story as if he was so dumb as to let anybody or actor get that close to him. This is a man who deals with the cia on a regular basis so he knows all about the methods of using spies to locate a target. He will not be extradited even tho the US has put a large amount of pressure on Mexico to do so. El Chapo will die in a shootout trying to escape and for a hundred million dollars some sicarios will take the body and burn it to avoid so called identification. El Chapo had been warned your time is up RETIRE OR WE WILL RETIRE YOU

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    7. 1:00pm thats the realest comment I EVER read.

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    8. Perhaps Durkheim was right. He theorized that crime was necessary. And that it actually served a function in society. - El Soldado Perdido

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    9. agree with you 1:00 pm

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    10. 1:00 pm that's the best comment ever on this subject.

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    11. @ 1:00pm ecept he didnt die trying to escape and he will be extradited asap

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    12. 1:00pm

      What bunch of BS. Hopefully you stay in school and move on to higher education.

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  15. My people on the inside of Altiplano said El Chapo was very sad yesterday. When asked by one of the guards what was wrong, El Chapo expressed he was sad because he was going to miss his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide play for the college football National Championship. He then gave a soft "Marea del rollo" (Roll Tide) and walked off with tears in his eyes.

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  16. Can't wait for Hollywood to make a big budget movie on Chapo.

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  17. Looks like they were allowed to wash up ... stuffed pig anyone? The eyes never lie chico

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    1. @10:31. Probably their captors made them wash up because of how bad they smelled after coming out of the sewer.

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  18. Good writing!, thanks for posting. These stories make myths, in the far future chapo might come out like Robin Hood or Loki(Vikings). Wonder who is his counterpart in the US?, there has to be some people in America with same level of power and corruption doing the needed local business, it would complete the story (if it ever comes to light).

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  19. JSOC’s Secretive Delta Force Operators on the Ground for El Chapo Capture

    Although Mexican officials claimed that the entire operation to recapture El Chapo after he escaped from prison for the second time was planned and executed by Mexico, multiple sources report to SOFREP that American law enforcement officers and JSOC operators were involved in the mission.

    http://sofrep.com/45855/jsoc-delta-force-operators-on-the-ground-for-el-chapo-capture/

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    1. @11:43. Thank you for the tip and the link to the Sofrep story. As you can see it is now posted. We get many good stories from reader's comments. Thanks again.

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  20. El Chapo Case Draws Mexico Closer to U.S.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/world/americas/el-chapo-case-draws-mexico-closer-to-us.html?_r=0

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  21. I mean how can you not respect this guy's story? Had so much power. And everything he does seems like fiction. Don't think his story is done

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  22. it was basic info from the food delivery rest. in town who the food was for. chapo likes steak very bloody and they finish cooking it when they get it.

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  23. No me cae bien "El Chapo", pero eso de que lo hagan a uno quedar como joto, si que es no tener madre. Aquí se paso de verga el pinche gobierno! Por todo lo demás muy bien, ya que lo manden a Estados Unidos, no se vaya a escapar otra vez y termina por hundir la credibilidad de esta administración.

    Arriba Chihuahua

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  24. Chapo turned out to be a dumb person. He's the leader of the biggest drug org. In the world and he gets caught 2 times in 8 months in a wat that leader like himslef should never do..

    He should have learned his lesson.

    I think the sinaloa cartel is done unless his sons don't take over .

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  25. Very cautious has been his substitution for intelligence . I bet he would score relatively low on a iq test . Maybe it will all be known someday .

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  26. i think his 300 personal security detail team is all fairytale

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  27. That goes to show who is really I charge the federales in mochis are ran by chapito isidro those guys handed him over the law got lucky they didn't deliver to el enano patas cortas

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  28. Good lookin VIVA CHIVIS!!!!!

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  29. The best part of this whole capture / sean penn mess is that the veil was completely thrown off this dirtbag. He is no genius, no hero, nothing. All he is is some simpleton who won the drug lottery.

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    1. Dropped out of school in gr 2 and can barely read yet still became a billionaire. What are you doing with your life again?

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    2. Yes, all that money and still has to resort to running around in sewers with all the other literal discarded shit. What a wonderful life.

      I can tell you one thing all that money could never buy his ass. Freedom.. he was and forever will be locked up by his own greed. Even out of jail he was constantly looking over his shoulder being hunted, hiding in the sewers of society. If someone gave me the powerball tomorrow but it came with that price he had to pay for that money i would turn it down 1000 out of 1000 times.

      All of the fairytales around him were nothing but peoples own nonsense.

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    3. teaching 2nd graders to read

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    4. Hanging here with you at BB.... Whoot!!

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    5. 2:26 and you're basing your comment off of one interview?... surviving 40 years in the drug trafficking business says a lot more then a 17 minute video. Another thing to consider is that just because he has a 2nd grade education doesn't mean he cant achieve success. Henry Ford didn't know how to read or write but he was able to pay people with an education to do his work.

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  30. Really!!! If I were El Chapo I would have a car Traveling 24/7 around the city if I needed a getaway car! Instead you have dumb and dumber trying to steal a car. Didn't he learn from the first time running through tunnels.

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    1. Dumb and dumber is whoever believes these stories.

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    2. Yes this is all a lie only the Mexicans and uneducated people BELIVE this kind of crap I'm starting a group to take over THESE NUTTS LMAO

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  31. The U.S.'s CIA delta force was involved in his capture. Didn't el Chapo see 'Sicario' he should have known this was going to happen. Thankfully they didn't shoot him.

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  32. Chivis you said you have family in los Mochis...I do as well and everyone tells me that man is not Joaquin Guzman. That he is some licenciado who either got paid or was told to fake being el chapo or else. Have you ever heard anything like that before? Also check his mughshots from his first stint in jail he stands 1.7 meters tall and his latest one he stands 1.65 meters tall. One does not shrink 5 cm that fast.

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  33. Bottom line is that chapo got caught for trying to get into the pants of Kate and he took down a high ranking member at the same time!

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  34. Chapo is not stupid, if he got cought is because he wanted too. Im sure he will be out before his movie comes out. KdC already knew he was going to get busted.

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    1. I think eventually any fugitive knows he or she is someday going to get caught,it's the logical think to have in mind,but I don't think he knew that it would be so soon,look at a pictures and you can see he was more then surprise to be captured.

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