Alleged drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman should be extradited to the United States to face drug-trafficking charges and put in a "prison where he can't escape," Rep. Mike McCaul said Monday.
"My argument is, he ought to be brought to the United States, put in a super max prison where he can't escape, and face the ultimate criminal penalty in the United States," the Texas Republican told "Fox & Friends."
Guzman was arrested in the Pacific beach town of Mazatlan on Saturday, more than a decade after he escaped from a Mexican prison. He is alleged to be behind much of the drug violence that has claimed more than 77,000 lives during the past seven years.
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U.S. agencies worked with Mexican officials in the capture of the drug kingpin. Thought to be behind much of the illegal cocaine trafficking in the United States, charges await him in several U.S. districts.
McCaul, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, called Guzman "the most wanted drug lord in the world" and the "godfather of the drug cartel." Since he escaped from jail once, McCaul fears it could happen again.
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"You have corruption in Mexico. He's already escaped once. He's the most powerful man in Mexico, if not the world. And I think the flight risk and security risk is tremendous in Mexico. That's why he needs to be brought out of Mexico into the United States," he said.
Talks have begun with the ambassador to Mexico, McCaul said, and suggested the U.S. State Department get involved, as well. He said the combined effort of U.S. and Mexican authorities in Guzman's capture was exemplary.
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