MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Federal authorities placed 71 prison employees under
                  house arrest while they investigate the escape of a reputed top drug trafficker
                  from a maximum-security penitentiary earlier this month.

                  Authorities believe corrupt prison officials helped arrange the January 19 escape
                  of Joaquin Guzman, who apparently hid in a laundry or garbage truck that was
                  leaving the prison. Guzman was serving more than 20 years for criminal
                  association and bribery.

                  Among those ordered held under house arrest for 40 days were top prison
                  officials, including the former director of the maximum security Puente Grande
                  penitentiary from which Joaquin Guzman escaped, the federal attorney general's
                  office said in a news release issued late Monday.

                  Puente Grande is about 12 miles outside Guadalajara, the capital of western
                  Jalisco state.

                  Guzman, 43, is accused of heading a powerful drug organization based in the
                  Pacific coast state of Sinaloa, long considered the cradle of Mexico's extensive
                  drug trade.

                  The employees being questioned had been held at the prison since the escape.
                  Authorities continue looking for Guzman.

                  Copyright 2001 The Associated Press.