Joaquín Guzmán Loera, the Mexican drug kingpin known as “El Chapo,” was condemned to life in prison plus 30 years in a packed hearing Wednesday morning.
The severity of the crimes for which Loera was convicted mandated a life sentence, rendering the hearing little more than a formality. But as with every step in the case against El Chapo, it passed with great fanfare. Reporters began lining up outside the federal court building in Downtown Brooklyn more than 12 hours before the hearing was set to start.
In case that wasn't enough, the drug kingpin will need to give up over $12 billion of dirty money he collected over the years. He appeared to be surprised by the verdict but gave his wife a thumbs up before being escorted out of court.
In the 1970s, Guzman began his life of organized crime, working for prominent drug lords including Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, the leader of the Guadalajara cartel, who recruited Guzman in the 1980s.
Do you think he'll escape again?