Notorious Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman really knew how to heat up the dance floor — with his diamond-studded gun.
Jurors Friday were treated to a never-before-seen photo of Guzman getting hot and heavy with a lady, as a bedazzled .38 super pistol peeks from his waistband.
The gun, one of many in the drug lord’s collection, is also emblazoned with a jaguar.
The photo was introduced as Vicente Zambada, the son of Guzman’s partner, recounted the hot shot’s love of weapons.
“Every time I saw [Guzman], he was armed,” said Zambada, who turned government witness following his arrest in 2009.
It was not clear from testimony when the photo was taken, or who the woman was.
In addition to Guzman’s womanizing ways, jurors have heard repeated testimony about the drug lord’s firearm fetish.
Many former associates have testified he had another .38 super pistol encrusted with diamonds and other gems to spell out his initials. He’s also been said to have a gold-plated AK-47, and was known to occasionally pull out a bazooka to show off for guests at his mountain hideaways.
Later Friday, Zambada testified that Guzman once attempted to help him escape the clutches of the drug trafficking underworld — by offering to put him in touch with the DEA.
“Chapo said that his contacts at the DEA could only help me,” testified Zambada, the son of Guzman’s partner Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. “Not my father, or my compadre Chapo.”
“It was their suggestion that I get out of the business, that I retire, and have my own life,” the now-43-year-old said.
Zambada started meeting with the DEA but was soon arrested by Mexican special forces, he testified.
In a strange twist, Zambada also told the court that he was handed a phone in 2012 while in US custody after being driven to an unknown location in Chicago around midnight — and his fugitive father was on the other line.
“He said he loved me very much,” the witness said. “And that he would help [with my case], as would my compadre Chapo.”
Guzman has pleaded “not guilty” to charges including running a criminal enterprise and murder conspiracy.
He faces life behind bars if convicted.
Source: Read Full Article