cartel. much of the blood is spilled here, the largest city. and the violent nerve center of the cartel. his rumor spread that el chapo was killed in a gun fight, no one here seemed to believe it. around here, he is the legend of sinaloa. reporter: and that mystique is part of the reason people are protective of him. el chapo is seen as a modern day robin hood, helping churn the economy with drug money. a common feeling, leave el chapo and his cartel alone and he ll leave us alone. at this cathedral, one of the priests says it s commonly understood that people mind their manners when it comes to el chapo and his bloody exploits. translator: people from around here know not to speak about el chapo. we don t talk with b it. reporter: just drive around here and you ll see how the drug king pin and members of his cartel are idolized. store friends bear the name. and it s not uncommon to see el chapo printed on the tops of license plate frames.