Jury selection began Monday for the trial of the drug kingpin known as "El Chapo."

Joaquin Guzman is accused of killing thousands of people while running the Sinaloa drug cartel and shipping tons of cocaine into the United States.

Prosecutors say they believe they can prove he was also involved in a 1992 shootout at a nightclub that left six people dead.

Previously, a federal judge said in light of the history of violence surrounding the cartel which El Chapo allegedly ran and the high-profile nature of the case, he has granted jurors anonymity in the trial. News 12 is told the jurors also being escorted to and from court.

During his previous court appearances, Guzman received a police escort as he was transported from Manhattan to the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse with the Brooklyn Bridge shut down and Tillary Street blocked off with armed guards present the entire time.

Opening statements are expected to begin on Nov. 13.