Report: Five weapons in El Chapo’s arsenal purchased in Arizona

PHOENIX — At least five firearms in Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s arsenal were reportedly purchased in Arizona, one of which was linked to the botched Fast and Furious program.

The Arizona Republic reports that the five weapons — most of them semiautomatic assault-style rifles — were found after a raid on the infamous drug kingpin’s hideout in Mexico.

Fox News reported one of the weapons, a .50-caliber rifle, was purchased during the Fast and Furious program that allowed criminals to purchase weapons that agents could theoretically track through criminal organizations.

The other four weapons were not linked to the program.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives later lost track of 1,400 of the 2,000 guns in the program, resulting in national scandal and several resignations. Some of the weapons that were lost were purchased in Phoenix, though it is unknown where the rifle used by Guzman’s men was bought.

Officials are unsure if more guns found in the compound were purchased in the United States.

Guzman was recaptured earlier this month about six months after he escaped from a maximum security prison. He was apprehended after a shootout with Mexican marines at a home in the city of Los Mochis, in Guzman’s home state of Sinaloa.

At the home marines seized two armored vehicles, eight rifles, one handgun and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Two of the rifles seized — one of which was purchased as part of Fast and Furious — were.50-caliber sniper guns, capable of penetrating most bullet-proof vests and cars. The grenade launcher was found loaded, with an extra round nearby. And an assault rifle had a .40 mm grenade launcher, and at least one grenade.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow @KTAR923