Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a prominent leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of the notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, were apprehended by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
Zambada and Guzmán López, both key figures in the cartel’s drug trafficking operations, turned themselves in on a private plane, as confirmed by a Mexican federal official who requested anonymity. Zambada, one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers, had evaded capture for decades. The U.S. government had previously offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.
FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that Zambada and Guzmán López were responsible for trafficking “tens of thousands of pounds of drugs into the United States, along with related violence,” and emphasized that they will now “face justice in the United States.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the severity of the threat posed by fentanyl, calling it “the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced” and reaffirmed the Justice Department’s commitment to holding accountable those responsible for poisoning communities.
Zambada, who has been charged in several U.S. cases, was most recently indicted in February in the Eastern District of New York for conspiring to manufacture and distribute synthetic opioids. Known as a key strategist in the Sinaloa cartel, Zambada has been more focused on the cartel’s operations rather than the violent tactics often associated with other drug lords. His partner, “El Chapo” Guzmán, was sentenced to life in prison in 2019.
The arrest of Zambada and Guzmán López follows a series of significant detentions of Sinaloa cartel figures, including Ovidio Guzmán López, another son of “El Chapo,” who was extradited to the U.S. last year. Ovidio has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges. Zambada’s detention represents a major blow to the Sinaloa cartel, which continues to be a significant player in the global drug trade.
In the past, Zambada has been known for his low-profile approach, focusing on the logistics and strategic aspects of drug trafficking while avoiding the high-profile violence of his contemporaries. His reputation was bolstered by his strategic acumen and ability to form alliances with Colombian traffickers, which helped him rise to prominence in the cartel world.
Sources By Agencies
