DEA: U.S. didn't know about "El Chapo" Guzman's tunnel
Ahead of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's escape from a maximum-security prison in Mexico on July 11, the United States did not have any actionable intelligence that he was building a tunnel, acting DEA chief Chuck Rosenberg told reporters Wednesday.
Even so, Rosenberg affirmed that the DEA does believe Guzman escaped through a tunnel. When he heard about the escape, Rosenberg said his reaction was "a combination of extreme disappointment and not terribly surprised. I mean, it had happened before, right? So fool me once, shame on you -- I think I have that right -- fool me twice, shame on me."
Guzman also escaped from a Mexican prison in 2001.
The DEA is now releasing a new "wanted" poster for Guzman, along with a tip line. There will be a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture. The lore surrounding "El Chapo" makes it harder to get good information about it, Rosenberg said. However, he said he believes Guzman is still in Mexico, where he would have the most protection.
While Rosenberg said he has high confidence in some U.S. sources within Mexico, he conceded that there are some elements within that government that may be working against the U.S. The United States is offering manpower and sharing information with the Mexican government in the hunt for Guzman
