Notorious drug lord El Chapo drugged and raped minors and called them his "vitamins", according to a witness quoted in newly unsealed court documents.

Joaquin Guzman, 61, was extradited to the US last year after escaping from a Mexican prison twice.

The alleged co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel is accused of smuggling more than 155 tonnes of cocaine into the US over 25 years.

A key government co-operator, Colombian drug trafficker Alex Cifuentes, claims in the documents that Guzman directed him to put "powdery substances" in the drinks of girls as young as 13.

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The defendant would then have sex with them at one of his Mexican hideouts in the late 2000s, Cifuentes said.


Guzman "called the youngest of the girls his 'vitamins' because he believed that sexual activity with young girls gave him 'life'," Cifuentes added.

Cifuentes also admitted having sex with minors but without drugging them.

The unsealing of the documents came at the request of The New York Times and Vice News.

US district judge Brian Cogan had ordered prosecutors to review the material - which had been sealed because it was deemed unrelated to the drug charges.

Image: Guzman's trial is taking place amid high security

One of Guzman's lawyers called the accusations "extremely salacious" and questioned the timing of the government filing.

The defendant faces 11 trafficking, firearms and money laundering charges and is likely to be jailed for life if convicted.

His lawyers claim he has been framed.

The trial started in November and the jury is due to start deliberating on Monday.