MEXICAN officials are investigating the meeting that then-fugitive drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman held with actor Sean Penn and actress Kate del Castillo in October to see if any crimes were committed.

    But government spokesman Eduardo Sanchez said late Tuesday that it is the possibility of illegal acts, rather than specific people, that authorities in Mexico are looking into.

    “We investigate actions, we don’t investigate people,” he said. “The Attorney General’s Office is investigating this event and others involving contacts that Joaquin Guzman had while he was on the run.”

    Carlos Barragany Salvatierra, a professor of law at Mexico’s National University, said there would be little ground to prosecute Penn or Del Castillo, unless money or gifts changed hands.

    “If during the dinner El Chapo gave them money, or jewels, or he gave them money for the movie or any other transaction, they could be charged with money laundering,” Barragany Salvatierra said. But he noted, “Meeting with a fugitive or criminal is not a crime.”

    Asked about scrutiny of his controversial meeting with the fugitive drug lord at a hideout in rural Mexico, Penn on Mondaysaid: “I’ve got nothin’ to hide.”

    Mexican officials have said the meeting helped them track down Guzman, who was recaptured Friday in Los Mochis.

    (SD-Agencies)