Drug kingpin 'El Chapo' extradited to U.S. to face charges

Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán was sent to the United States on Thursday to face a slew of criminal charges stemming from his trafficking cartel, authorities said.

Mexico's foreign ministry confirmed Thursday that it extradited the accused kingpin after an appellate court refused to grant further protections from U.S. prosecution.

U.S. authorities have been waiting for Guzmán's extradition for many months. He is wanted on numerous drug-related charges in California, Texas and Florida, as well as other states.

Guzmán's attorneys have been trying to prevent U.S. extradition, fearing prosecutors will try and secure a death sentence for the reputed cartel king.

The former fugitive, who authorities say is the leader of Mexico's notorious Sinaloa cartel, escaped from prison twice since his first capture in 1993.

It wasn't initially clear exactly where Guzmán was sent Thursday. Officials declined to disclose his whereabouts, citing security reasons.