Mexico arrests six suspects over prison escape of kingpin 'Chapo' Guzman

The Mexican Attorney General's office says it has arrested seven suspects for their alleged involvement in the prison escape of drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, including the drug lords' brother-in-law and the suspected mastermind of the jailbreak.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican Navy marines at a navy hanger in Mexico City Source: AAP

Guzman's escape from a maximum security prison in July through a mile-long tunnel built into his cell was a profound embarrassment for President Enrique Pena Nieto, raising pressure on the government to do more to battle public sector corruption.

Amongst those arrested is a member of Guzman's legal team, who authorities suspect had insider access to the kingpin's prison near Mexico City. Guzman's brother-in-law was reportedly in charge of operations to build the tunnel.

"The Attorney General of the Republic reports that in recent hours before a jurisdictional authority various people who on July 11 assisted Joaquin Guzman Loera in the federal social rehabilitation centre no.1 Antiplano," said Mexico's Attorney General, Arely Gomez.

Authorities inspect the exit of the tunnel they claim was used by drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to break out of the Altiplano maximum security prison in Almoloya, west of Mexico City Source: AAP

The Attorney General did not name any of the new detainees but said the group made links from outside the prison to those inside to facilitate the escape.

"Today I affirm what has been articulated as the group responsible from the outside planned, organised and carried out an evaluation," she added.

In recent days the search for Guzman in his Sinaloa drugs heartland has stepped up, after he reportedly narrowly escaped capture by authorities last week.

Gomez told media that the government's security cabinet is working together for his eventual arrest.

"From the instructions of the President of the Republic, the institutions which make up the security cabinet will continue to work together for the detention of Joaquin Guzman Loera and the rest of those priority targets for crime such as those acts which for years have injured Mexicans and who evade justice. Guzman managed to escape from prison but neither him or those who helped him will escape justice," she said.

Following Guzman's escape, the government dismissed the head of the prison and questioned more than 30 prison officials over the escape.

Mexican authorities have reported the United States had requested the extradition of Guzman about two weeks before the breakout took place.