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Ted Cruz wants to use El Chapo’s funds for border wall

Posted at 3:14 PM, Feb 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-14 17:24:50-05
Border Wall
In this Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, photo, a rainbow appears along the border fence as U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents patrol the area in Hidalgo, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is once again proposing a new source of funding for President Trump’s southern border wall: recently convicted drug cartel leader “El Chapo.”

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, kingpin of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, was convicted on 10 counts including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.

Federal prosecutors plan to seek a forfeiture judgment for property Guzman gained from drug trafficking — estimated in the billions of dollars.

Cruz tweeted that the money should go toward border security. The Republican wrote, “It’s time to pass my El Chapo Act. I urge my Senate colleagues to take swift action on this crucial legislation.”

Cruz introduced the bill last month. It’s been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Related:

Make El Chapo pay for a border wall? Don’t count on it