The News
Thursday 28 of March 2024

Official Jailed in Drug Lord 'El Chapo's Escape Freed


Joaquín
Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera is made to face the press as he is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican soldiers and marines at a federal hangar,photo: AP/Marco Ugarte
Leonor García is one of more than 20 prison officials, employees and civilians who have been charged in connection with Guzmán Loera's 2015 escape

MEXICO CITY — A Mexican court has ordered the release of a prison official jailed on charges of abetting the 2015 escape of drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera.

The Attorney General’s Office did not give details on the court ruling in favor of Leonor García, the ex-legal director of the top-security Altiplano prison.

But the office said Saturday it is confident in its evidence against García. Her release is not tantamount to exoneration, and the office said it would study whether to refile charges.

García is one of more than 20 prison officials, employees and civilians who have been charged in connection with Guzmán Loera’s 2015 escape through a mile-long tunnel that accomplices dug to the shower in his cell. Investigations have found security protocols were not followed.

Guzmán Loera was recaptured in January.