Report: .50-Caliber Rifle Recovered From Hideout of Mexican Drug Lord 'El Chapo' — and It's Traceable to 'Fast and Furious\

A .50-caliber rifle recovered at the hideout at Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman originated in the U.S. as part of the controversial gun-smuggling operation known as "Fast and Furious," Fox News reported.

AP Photo

Federal law enforcement officials confirmed to Fox News Tuesday that at least one of the eight weapons found in Guzman's possession when he was recaptured Jan. 8 had a serial number traceable to the controversial Justice Department program.

The famous Mexican drug lord intended to use the rifle to take down a helicopter, Fox News also reported.

Officials said that they are not yet sure where the .50-caliber rifle was sold or how exactly it ended up in Guzman's possession but confirmed that they are investigating.

The Fast and Furious "gun-walking" scandal has bogged down the Obama administration for years, as Republicans in Congress have seized on the botched effort, holding former Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt after he refused to release documents pertaining to the program, citing "executive privilege."

On Tuesday, a federal judge rejected the Justice Department's executive privilege claim after a hard-fought legal battle by Republicans to obtain thousands of related emails.

(H/T: Fox News)