Arrest of "El Chapo's" escape pilot, "Z40" paid for Altiplano concert

Lucio R. for Borderland Beat- material used from Excelsior, Reforma and Economia

Among those arrested for the escape of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman from the maximum security prison of Altiplano, is a pilot who helped the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel , announced the General Attorney of the Republic, Arely Gómez González.

Appearing before the Senate, the head of the Attorney General's Office (PGR) acknowledged that the escape of Guzman Loera weakened the confidence of citizens in the prison system and the country's security institutions.

Her mentioning an “escape pilot” had lawmakers scratching their heads, because this is the first anyone had heard of such an arrest. Further confusion is that Gomez did not give any details of the arrest or even the date and name of the detainee.

It has been speculated that Guzman Loera, had been transferred via vehicle to an area out of the prison’s air space restriction for a flight to his final destination, presumably somewhere in the Sinaloa Sierra Madre.

An air escape could be achieved by using one of the many ejidos or massive ranchos that surround the area of Altiplano.  The large swaths of cleared flat land would easily accommodate a makeshift air strip for a small aircraft to hustle Chapo out of the area and perhaps to a secondary aircraft for the 750 mile trip. 

Gomez also offers that the investigation continues notably analyzing protocols and telephone history in an attempt to discover who was directly involved in the escape.

The attorney general says that 23 former public servants have been arrested or have pending arrest warrant against them for aiding in El Chapo’s escape.  This includes the prison director.

“Z40” throws prison concert leading to the firing of director

The prison director of Altiplano came to the prison after the termination of Marisa Quintanilla de la Garza.  Reported widely in Mexican media is the story that Quintanilla permitted a party featuring the band Los Tucanes de Tijuana.  

Miguel Trevino aka "Z40" paid for the party.  As the story goes he wanted to conduct the party within the prison, but Quintanilla rejected that plan as it would be an infraction of the rules.  She later agreed to conduct the concert outside the prison walls in a field adjacent to the Max Prison. Her reasoning was since the concert was technically outside the jurisdiction of the prison.  

She was terminated and replaced by Valentin Cardenas Lerma, now under arrest for aiding El Chapo’s escape.

BB readers may remember reading about Quintanilla “humanistic approach” to incarceration. Her philosophy was to treat prisoners with respect which would affect their rehabilitation. 

Excelsior reported that for weeks before the September 15, 2013 event, trucks began arriving to construct and set up the outside prison makeshift venue, and when it was known the event was paid for by Z40 a few contractors notified prison authorities, but the complaints were ignored.

The event included a massive laser light show reflecting the letter “Z” and “40” and when prisoners saw that from inside the prison screams and cheers  of appreciation and thanks, could be heard throughout the prison. 

Z40 premier leader of the Los Zetas cartel was captured on July 13, 2013 between the cities of Sabinas Coahuila and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.