Convicted drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, was transferred to a prison in northern Mexico near the Texas border early today.

The Sinaloa cartel boss was moved from the maximum-security Altiplano lock-up near Mexico City to a prison in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso.

There was no reason given for the transfer.

'El Chapo' has twice pulled off brazen jailbreaks. He first broke out of a Mexican prison in 2001. He was recaptured in 2014, only to escape the Altiplano prison the following year through a mile-long tunnel dug to the floor of the shower stall in his cell. 

Mexican marines re-arrested him in the western state of Sinaloa in January, after he departed from a safe house through a storm drain. He was then transferred to Altiplano, where officials increased his security regimen.

Lawyers for Guzman have filed several appeals against their client being sent to the U.S., and Mexican officials have said it could take up to a year to reach a final verdict. 'El Chapo' faces charges in multiple jurisdictions in the states.

There was no immediate indication that the transfer could be a sign that the process is nearing conclusion.

Jose Refugio Rodriguez, a lawyer for Guzman, said Guzman's defence team was not notified prior to the transfer. Another member of his defense team is travelling to Juarez to try to meet with their client.