TOI World Desk
Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, co-founder of the infamous Sinaloa drug cartel and the son of his former partner, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the two top leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, are now in US custody. They were arrested in Texas, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement on Thursday.
“Ismael Zambada Garcia, or “El Mayo,” cofounder of the Cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of its other cofounder, were arrested today in El Paso, Texas,” Garland said, calling the cartel “one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world.”
“Both men are facing multiple charges in the United States for leading the Cartel’s criminal operations, including its deadly fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks,” he added.
Zambada, who established the Sinaloa Cartel alongside the now-imprisoned Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, faces multiple indictments in the United States related to drug trafficking and organized crime. The cartel has long been considered one of the most powerful and dangerous drug trafficking organizations in the world.
He, alongside Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, was known for running the cartel’s smuggling operations, but keeping a lower profile. The US Drug Enforcement Administration had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
In February, US federal prosecutors charged Zambada with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. US officials have identified fentanyl as the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45, highlighting the severe impact of the drug crisis.
Zambada’s apprehension marks a significant development in the ongoing battle against international drug trafficking. His capture is expected to provide US authorities with critical insights into the operations of the Sinaloa Cartel, which has been responsible for smuggling vast quantities of narcotics into the United States over the past several decades.
The detention represents a major victory for law enforcement agencies in both the United States and Mexico, who have long sought to bring him to justice.
“Ismael Zambada Garcia, or “El Mayo,” cofounder of the Cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of its other cofounder, were arrested today in El Paso, Texas,” Garland said, calling the cartel “one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world.”
“Both men are facing multiple charges in the United States for leading the Cartel’s criminal operations, including its deadly fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks,” he added.
Zambada, who established the Sinaloa Cartel alongside the now-imprisoned Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, faces multiple indictments in the United States related to drug trafficking and organized crime. The cartel has long been considered one of the most powerful and dangerous drug trafficking organizations in the world.
He, alongside Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, was known for running the cartel’s smuggling operations, but keeping a lower profile. The US Drug Enforcement Administration had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
In February, US federal prosecutors charged Zambada with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. US officials have identified fentanyl as the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45, highlighting the severe impact of the drug crisis.
Zambada’s apprehension marks a significant development in the ongoing battle against international drug trafficking. His capture is expected to provide US authorities with critical insights into the operations of the Sinaloa Cartel, which has been responsible for smuggling vast quantities of narcotics into the United States over the past several decades.
The detention represents a major victory for law enforcement agencies in both the United States and Mexico, who have long sought to bring him to justice.