IN THE STREETS & ON THE WEB

Sean Penn's Interview Helped Mexican Officials Find El Chapo

Actor Sean Penn did what the Mexican authorities never could — find Joaquin (El Chapo) Guzman.

But the notorious drug lord’s willingness to chat with Penn for a story in Rolling Stone magazine ultimately led to his capture — and sparked an investigation into the Hollywood actor, a Mexican law enforcement official said Saturday.

The surreal revelations came a day after Guzman was arrested following a protracted gun battle six months after he escaped from a maximum security prison.

While on the run from Mexican troops, Guzman spent seven hours meeting with Penn in person.

The unlikely pair even sipped tequila together and snapped a photo as Penn interviewed Guzman at his remote hideout for Rolling Stone, which published a story about the experience Saturday.

“I don’t want to be portrayed as a nun,” Guzman told Penn.

The clandestine October meeting, in a jungle clearing atop a mountain at an undisclosed location, was brokered by Mexican film star Kate Del Castillo..

To reach the ruthless Sinaloa cartel leader’s hideout, Penn and Del Castillo traveled more than 26 hours, taking two flights and riding in a two-truck convoy deep in the mountainous jungle.

“There is no doubt this is the real deal,” Penn writes in describing the moment he first laid eyes on Guzman. “He’s wearing a casual patterned silk shirt, pressed black jeans, and he appears remarkably well-groomed and healthy for a man on the run.”

They dined on a buffet of tacos, enchiladas, chicken, rice, and carne asada — and even discussed Donald Trump.

“Ah! Mi amigo!” Guzman replied, when Penn brought up Trump’s name.

Guzman agreed to sit down with Penn for more extended interviews days later — but a series of raids by Mexican authorities forced the drug kingpin to go underground.

A Mexican law enforcement official said Saturday that it was the Penn interview that led authorities to Guzman’s hideout in a rural part of Durango state — tightening the noose around El Chapo.

Even after Guzman managed to elude authorities, he continued the interview by BlackBerry Messenger and even shot a video that was delivered to the actor by courier.

“I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world,” Guzman boasted. “I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.”

But Guzman, despite his fearsome reputation, insisted that he’s not a violent man. “Look, all I do is defend myself, nothing more,” he told Penn. “But do I start trouble? Never.”

The interviews also revealed startling new details of Guzman’s daring escape from a Mexican prison last July.

The mile-long tunnel that Guzman used to flee the federal penitentiary was built by engineers who had been flown to Germany for specialized training. A motorcycle on rails was outfitted to operate inside the tunnel’s low-oxygen environment.

The notoriously secretive Guzman also revealed deeply personal details.

Asked to describe his relationship with his mom, Guzman said, “My relationship? Perfect. Very well.”

His dreams for the future? “I want to live with my family the days God gives me.”

The 57-year-old Guzman was captured as he tried to flee a Los Mochis safe house where a firefight with Mexican Marines left five of his henchmen dead.

Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez said Guzman’s desire to turn his story into a biopic helped lead investigators to his secret home in the Mexican seaside city of Los Mochis.

“He established communication with actresses and producers, which became a new line of investigation,” Gomez said.

Penn and del Castillo were placed under investigation by the Mexican authorities following the meeting, a source told ABC News.

Penn, who was photographed with Madonna at a Haiti fundraiser in Beverly Hills Saturday night, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Mexico is willing to extradite the recaptured drug lord to Brooklyn, where he’s charged with 12 murders and the laundering of $14 billion in drug loot, a law enforcement official said Saturday.

“Mexico is ready,” the official told The Associated Press. “There are plans to cooperate with the U.S.”

But it’s unlikely he’ll be in the city anytime soon. Experts say the legal process could be lengthy and Guzman’s attorney said he’ll battle extradition in the courts.