According to legal representatives of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the incarcerated drug lord is suffering from hallucinations, depression and paranoia due to severe jail conditions.
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ABC News reported that El Chapo, who is being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City under “special administrative measures” since January, is unhappy with the conditions.
The Mexican drug kingpin's attorney filed a motion requesting a psychological evaluation for his client, stating the latter is suffering from physical and mental deterioration due to the restrictive nature of the conditions in jail.
“Counsel has been visiting with Mr. Guzman since February and has noticed that during the last month Mr. Guzmán has suffered a marked deterioration in his mental state,” the filing detailed.
Guzman's reps stated that he is experiencing trouble remembering times, people and places as well as suffering headaches, throat pain and ringing in his ears.
“Counsel has noticed that Mr. Guzman has begun repeating himself often and sometimes forgetting what the discussion is about,” the court filing stated.
“It is plain to the defense team that something is not right with Mr. Guzman.”
Additional complaints allege that the drug lord is suffering hallucinations and experiencing depression, and have made claims that the government has wiretapped his cell.
The defense attorneys pointed out that El Chapo would be deemed unfit to stand trial if the alleged “deteriorations” persist.
Prosecutors have remained mum on the allegations, according to an NBC News report.
Guzman has twice escaped Mexican lockups and is, therefore, being held in near-isolation at the federal jail in Manhattan, while awaiting trial.