'El Chapo' Guzman News: Sinaloa Cartel Leader's Capture Began With Covert U.S.-Spain Operation

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman was captured just over a month ago, however, the process that led to the incarceration of Mexico's greatest druglord began over five years ago and far across the Atlantic. Spanish newspaper 'ABC' has published a report detailing a covert operation between undercover agents from the United States and Spain which led to the capture of four members of the Sinaloa Cartel, among them one of 'El Chapo's first cousins. The operation was the first step in Guzman's capture.

According to the new report, an operation called 'Dark Waters' was launched in 2009. It involved making 'El Chapo' and his cartel cronnies believe that there was a new market for their drug operation in Madrid. However, this was just a bait laid for the cartel: when Guzman's people arrived in Madrid to set up their cocaine smuggling operation, they were met by FBI agents and members of the Central Brigade of Organized Crime of the Spanish Police.

According to the Spanish newspaper, "the operation in Spain may have been the beginning of the fall for 'El Chapo.' Everything after that happened much more quickly. And the proof is that htey have actually captured him. In his own country, yes, but with a great deal of American help." It began five years ago when 'El Chapo' was planning a trip to Spain to initiate his cartel's inflitration to Europe - this launched the 'Dark Waters' operation and the beginnings of the kinpin's caputre.