'El Chapo' counterintelligence used advanced tactics to evade capture
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
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Mcquarro
Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, head of the most powerful drug cartel in Mexico resorted to communications devices and advanced high-tech tactics to avoid counter for 13 years, the international search against, as The Associated Press has learned.
However, a low-tech action definitely marked the end of life as a fugitive Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
By an ordinary wiretap in southern Arizona, authorities determined it was a cell phone call from one of the main associates of "El Chapo". In one day, Guzmán was captured in a multiple dwelling condominium off a beach in Mazatlan, Mexico.
An agent with direct knowledge of Guzman years as a fugitive and an official of the U.S. government that the case had been reported to the AP detailed tilt Guzman leverage technology and use maneuvers that always put a step ahead of the law .
Both requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
"('El Chapo') spared no expense to protect themselves," said the agent.
Part of the communications equipment used was not available Guzmán entirely civilian customers. Refining equipment and commitment of Guzman deeply impressed the researchers who followed the track. Among other practices, Guzman counter detectors used to uncover hidden transmitters in your room or that could lead people we met.
"The teams were of high standard," said the agent.
As was well protected, Guzman could attend family events and married a local beauty queen at a party attended by many people, while directing its thriving multinational, multibillion-dollar drug empire.
The U.S. and Mexican authorities tried for years to detect a weakness in the organization of "El Chapo". The official said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE acronym) appealed to ordinary listeners to find Guzmán. Last year, the agents were able to intercept BlackBerry messages and other communications.
Earlier this month, authorities raided one of the hideouts of alleged Guzman in Culiacan, where Guzman acted almost with impunity. Inside, they found a cell phone that belonged to the head of communications "El Chapo", which have led to a trusted courier, the official said.
The messenger described the authorities after a series of houses that Guzman used as hiding places. At least one more arrest hinted to pursuing Guzman that it could be found in the coastal city of Mazatlan, on the Pacific.
The most important clue came from a wiretap of ICE in Nogales, Arizona. That information led the Mexican marines to the exact condo where Guzman had escaped hid from the soldiers days earlier by interconnected tunnels down their hideouts in Culiacan.
Authorities did not release the specific methods used for the past 13 years.
The agent said that while he was a fugitive, Guzman did not hide in the rugged mountains of western Mexico. With the assistance of his own trusted security force and possibly some Mexican officials, Guzman moved freely in some parts of Mexico and perhaps even internationally.
"It was moving with impunity in most (Culiacán)," said the official. "I was traveling at will. Had private jets. Was businessman, traveling to meet with people to discuss not only narcotics. Obviously was interested in the financial business, in the markets. Had in view the expansion of his empire" he added.
However, a low-tech action definitely marked the end of life as a fugitive Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
By an ordinary wiretap in southern Arizona, authorities determined it was a cell phone call from one of the main associates of "El Chapo". In one day, Guzmán was captured in a multiple dwelling condominium off a beach in Mazatlan, Mexico.
An agent with direct knowledge of Guzman years as a fugitive and an official of the U.S. government that the case had been reported to the AP detailed tilt Guzman leverage technology and use maneuvers that always put a step ahead of the law .
Both requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
"('El Chapo') spared no expense to protect themselves," said the agent.
Part of the communications equipment used was not available Guzmán entirely civilian customers. Refining equipment and commitment of Guzman deeply impressed the researchers who followed the track. Among other practices, Guzman counter detectors used to uncover hidden transmitters in your room or that could lead people we met.
"The teams were of high standard," said the agent.
As was well protected, Guzman could attend family events and married a local beauty queen at a party attended by many people, while directing its thriving multinational, multibillion-dollar drug empire.
The U.S. and Mexican authorities tried for years to detect a weakness in the organization of "El Chapo". The official said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE acronym) appealed to ordinary listeners to find Guzmán. Last year, the agents were able to intercept BlackBerry messages and other communications.
Earlier this month, authorities raided one of the hideouts of alleged Guzman in Culiacan, where Guzman acted almost with impunity. Inside, they found a cell phone that belonged to the head of communications "El Chapo", which have led to a trusted courier, the official said.
The messenger described the authorities after a series of houses that Guzman used as hiding places. At least one more arrest hinted to pursuing Guzman that it could be found in the coastal city of Mazatlan, on the Pacific.
The most important clue came from a wiretap of ICE in Nogales, Arizona. That information led the Mexican marines to the exact condo where Guzman had escaped hid from the soldiers days earlier by interconnected tunnels down their hideouts in Culiacan.
Authorities did not release the specific methods used for the past 13 years.
The agent said that while he was a fugitive, Guzman did not hide in the rugged mountains of western Mexico. With the assistance of his own trusted security force and possibly some Mexican officials, Guzman moved freely in some parts of Mexico and perhaps even internationally.
"It was moving with impunity in most (Culiacán)," said the official. "I was traveling at will. Had private jets. Was businessman, traveling to meet with people to discuss not only narcotics. Obviously was interested in the financial business, in the markets. Had in view the expansion of his empire" he added.