Alejandro Guzmán

Alejandro Guzmán Londoño (born March 16, 1959) is one of the most prominent Colombian drug lords. He was the leader of the North Valley Cartel, once Colombia's most powerful cocaine trafficking organization. The cartel he led was responsible for manufacturing 70% of the cocaine found in the United States and distributing it to more than 50 countries around the world from Colombia, according to U.S. officials.

Who is he?

Born in 1966, Alejandro Guzmán leads one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico. He is the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, and has been a fugitive since 1993. Alejandro Guzman has been indicted on drug trafficking charges in California, Arizona, and Texas. His cartel is believed to be responsible for bringing in billions of dollars annually.

 In 1993, he was indicted by a federal grand jury in Arizona on drug trafficking and money laundering charges. He is still wanted by U.S. authorities and has a bounty of $5 million USD on his head.

 He is a wanted fugitive by Mexican authorities and Interpol. The U.S. Department of Treasury has designated him as one of Mexico's top drug kingpins, along with Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán and Ismael El Mayo Zambada García. In 2009, Forbes magazine ranked him among its Top World’s Most Powerful People list for his drug trafficking activities

How he changed the Lifestyle industry

In the late 1980s, Alejandro Guzmán took a huge risk when he moved to New York City and opened what would be one of the most successful high-end lifestyle stores in America. With an extensive knowledge of design and fashion, he created an environment where customers could find everything they needed for their home in one place.

 In its heyday, Norelli was considered by many to be one of New York City’s premier lifestyle retail destinations. Each store had a signature look, with clean lines and exclusive fabrics that distinguished itself from competitors in terms of selection and presentation. These stores were often compared to Apple stores because they were so simple and elegant.

 The retail business brought in more than $400 million a year, allowing Guzman to expand his brand into furniture and textiles as well. He also dabbled in real estate and art, owning several properties around Manhattan as well as a gallery with works from artists like Keith Haring and Andy Warhol. When it came to lifestyle brands, no one was better at understanding what people wanted than Alejandro Guzmán.

How he turned himself into a legend

Guzman had a humble beginning, his father was a laborer in the Sierra Mazateca. His mother died when he was only three years old. But by the time he was fifteen years old, he had become one of the biggest marijuana producers in Mexico. He also served as the leader of one of Mexico's most notorious drug cartels, earning him the title The King of Cocaine.

 In 1993, authorities captured Guzman in Guatemala and he was extradited to Mexico. But he managed to escape prison again, reportedly hiding in a laundry cart. This time, he wasn’t going to give up without a fight. He started plotting his revenge against those who had betrayed him.

 By 2001, he was leading a campaign of terror against everyone that dared to cross him. In one case, he had three prison guards executed and their heads delivered to Mexico's attorney general.

Alejandro Guzmán

Alejandro Guzmán is a Mexican drug lord and former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. He was also one of the most powerful and wealthy criminals in Mexico, whom Forbes magazine described as the world's most powerful drug lord. He was arrested on February 24, 2016 by the DEA at a resort in Mazatlán. He was extradited to New York to face charges for international trafficking.

 From 1989 to 2014, he held a position of power in Mexico as a lieutenant working directly under Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán Loera, then leader of their crime organization. When El Chapo was arrested and extradited to United States in 2017, he assumed control of their criminal enterprise.

 The Sinaloa Cartel is often considered to be one of the world's most powerful organized crime groups. In 2009, it was estimated that he had a net worth of more than $1 billion, making him one of Forbes' wealthiest individuals in Mexico. and has been described as the last billionaire of Mexico's criminal underworld.

Fun facts about his personal life

Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, Alejandro Guzman left his home town and eventually settled in Culiacan. He had a brother named Arturo who was the leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel. Alejandro was born into a poor family but he became a billionaire within 5 years after being detained for trafficking cocaine. He has been accused of controlling between 25% and 50% of all illegal drugs smuggled into the United States from Mexico.

 His company was responsible for exporting cocaine to Chicago, Illinois and across America. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents believed he was responsible for 20% of all drugs that are trafficked in and out of Mexico. When talking about his arrest, it is believed that US$1 billion worth of cocaine were seized. A further US$350 million in cash was found.

 However, the current whereabouts of his wealth are unknown; many speculate that he may have lost up to 90% of his fortune due to legal fees and spending large amounts of money fighting extradition from 2015-2016.

Summary

At the age of 43, he was ranked as having a net worth of $1 billion by Forbes. He is considered one of the most powerful and wealthiest drug lords in Mexico. He was arrested on February 22, 1993, in Guatemala and extradited to Mexico where he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.