Los Angeles: 'El Mago,' a drug trafficker linked to 'El Chapo,' is shot to death

A shooting in Willowbrook, a small community located in Los Angeles, led to the death of "El Mago," a drug dealer linked to 'El Chapo,' on Thanksgiving morning. As revealed by the medical examiner as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, everything happened around 8am last Thursday when they received a call reporting several shots fired at 14200 Towne Avenue, an industrial area full of warehouses, where there is also a truck yard and a church.

The shooting ended the life of Eduardo Escobedo, alias "El Mago," 39, as well as another convicted drug trafficker, Guillermo De Los Ángeles Jr., 47. Both, according to the forensic examiner, died instantly. A third victim, who suffered several gunshot wounds but whose life is not in danger, was also reported at the scene.

Everything indicates that the shooting began during a party, according to Lieutenant, Omar Camacho, in statements reported by Los Angeles Times: "It appears that there was some type of gathering or party at the location from last night to early this morning." However, authorities have not yet been able to clarify the motives that led to the shooting on Thanksgiving morning.

'El Mago,' a drug trafficker with several businesses in Los Angeles

Escobedo, alias "El Mago," was a drug dealer raised in Los Angeles. For several years, the drug trafficker dealt in drugs such as methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana. According to Fox News, thanks to this drug sale, over time, Escobedo became the main local marijuana distributor for Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, "El Chapo's" eldest son.

It was this illegal marijuana trade that caused "El Mago" to enter prison where he served a five-year sentence that ended with his release in 2018. It happened after the Los Angeles Police discovered that he distributed more than 22,000 pounds of this drug, the vast majority to the Sinaloa cartel.

Escobedo is also suspected of allegedly carrying out money laundering through the export of exotic cars. According to authorities, he likely sent the cars to the cartel's main center in Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa, where they were resold.

Once he served his sentence, "El Mago" returned to Los Angeles, where he continued his business. Among them, he explained, is the import and sale of hair extensions. Under the name International Hair Authority, the business is currently in his wife's name. For his part, he claimed to be the owner of Magic Records Corporation, a record label as well as the Besthibachi restaurant chain, several Japanese food establishments that have branches in various American cities. Businesses that brought him an annual income of about $200,000 and that are part of the inheritance of his four children.