El Chapo trial: Joaquín Guzman joked about arming infant daughter with AK47 in texts to wife, court hears

The court may hear from brother of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada today, according to Vice reporter Keegan Hamilton.

One of Guzman's defence lawyers, Mr Lichtman, claims Zambada is a reknowned drug trafficker in the cartel's leadership who remains on the loose in Mexico.

Credit: AFP 

This is Guzman's attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman , arriving today at the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse.

From childhood to trial, this is the life story of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzman: 

Here is the full document from prosecutors asking for the defence's opening statement to be struck off the court record. It wasn't, but the judge warned the defence about their conduct.

Here is a court drawing of Assistant US Attorney Adam Feels during his opening statement. He is gesturing to Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman (second from right_ sitting next to his attorney Eduardo Balazero, at Brooklyn Federal Court.

Credit: AP 

When describing the tunnel, retired US Customs Agent Carlos Salazar said authorities used heavy tools to smash through concrete, only to realise later it all would have opened up on the Mexican side with the twist of a water valve.  

"We didn't know the floor came up," he said commenting on the hidden hydraulics. 

A defence lawyer for Guzman has named some of the former close associates of the El Chapo -- including his alleged head of operations in Central America -- who will likely testify against him.

Defense lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman said as part of his opening statement that he expected prosecutors to call Cesar Gastelum, Damaso Lopez and Miguel Angel Martinez, former drug traffickers who are now cooperating with authorities.

Gastelum moved tons of cocaine a week through Central America to Mexico for Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel, the US Treasury Department alleged in 2014. Gastelum was later arrested in Mexico and extradited to the United States.

An admitted former member of a Mexican drug cartel has told court that Guzman was one of the organisation's leaders.

Jesus Zambada named Guzman while testifying as a government witness.

Zambada testified Guzman partnered with his brother, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, to run the Sinaloa cartel. Zambada said before he was arrested in 2008, he served as a cartel lieutenant. He described himself as "the leader in Mexico City." 

Jesus Zambada also told court Guzman operated a warehouse in Mexico City where cocaine flown in from Colombia was stored.

Zambada claimed the cartel "controlled" an airport in Mexico City, and regularly bribed the government to give him protection.  

Guzman's defence team says he is being framed. 

This is the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse where Guzman's trial is taking place.

Credit: Don Emmert / AFP