Mexico seizes 6 planes in Sinaloa cartel’s base

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican navy marines at a navy hanger in Mexico City, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. AP

MEXICO CITY — Mexican marines have seized six small planes and detained three suspects with guns and drugs on a ranch in a western state where the government recently nabbed Sinaloa drug cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

The Interior Department said Saturday the men had cocaine and marijuana packages as well as two rifles and a grenade launcher with them in a ranch near the city of Culiacan, the Sinaloa cartel’s stronghold.

The government didn’t give details on what kind of planes were seized in the raid Wednesday. Marines also confiscated four vehicles.

The legendary Guzman was captured last month in the resort of Mazatlan after 13 years as a fugitive since escaping from prison. Days before his arrest, the military had begun raiding several homes, confiscating weapons and catching associates.