Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the alleged co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, pleaded not guilty to US drug charges on Friday. Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, were arrested in Texas, marking a dramatic achievement for US law enforcement that could impact Mexico’s criminal landscape drastically.
During an initial court appearance in Texas, Zambada, who is believed to be in his 70s and appeared in a wheelchair, was read his rights and charges.He directed a not guilty plea, which was accepted by US Magistrate Judge Anne Berton. Zambada waived his right to be present at an arraignment next Wednesday but must attend a status conference next Thursday before US District Judge Kathleen Cardone, who will oversee the case.
Zambada’s lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Zambada, believed to be one of Mexico’s most influential traffickers, is accused of co-founding the Sinaloa Cartel with El Chapo. El Chapo was extradited to the US in 2017 and is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison.
Both Zambada and Guzman Lopez face charges in the United States for distributing large quantities of fentanyl and other drugs. Fentanyl overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.
Guzman Lopez, in his 30s, is scheduled to appear in court in Chicago next week.
The arrests occurred after the two landed in a private plane in the El Paso area on Thursday. Reuters first reported the story, followed by a Justice Department statement confirming their detention in El Paso.
US President Joe Biden praised the arrests and committed to continuing the fight against drug trafficking.
“Too many of our citizens have lost their lives to the scourge of fentanyl. Too many families have been broken and are suffering because of this destructive drug,” he said in a statement.
According to three current and former US officials, Guzman Lopez lured Zambada to the US. Drug lords have been key targets for US authorities, often resulting in plea bargain deals in exchange for information to capture other high-ranking cartel figures. However, Reuters could not confirm if a plea bargain deal had been made.
Since their father’s extradition in 2017, El Chapo’s sons and Zambada have had a fractious relationship. These arrests may trigger instability or violence in the cartel’s stronghold, Sinaloa. To bolster security, Mexico’s defense ministry dispatched 200 special forces soldiers to the state.
In 2008, a violent inter-cartel war erupted when another senior Sinaloa leader was detained. His family accused El Chapo of orchestrating the arrest, leading to a fierce conflict between powerful cartel factions.
Guzman Lopez is one of four sons of El Chapo, known as Los Chapitos or Little Chapos, who inherited their father’s faction. His brother, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, was arrested last year and extradited to the US.
There were rumors circulating on social media that Ovidio Guzman had been released. However, US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar confirmed he “remains in custody in the United States.”
In recent years, the Sinaloa Cartel has been the primary target for US authorities who accuse the syndicate of being the largest supplier of fentanyl to the US. The cartel traffics drugs to over 50 countries and is one of Mexico’s two most powerful organized crime groups.
Zambada’s style contrasts sharply with that of El Chapo’s sons. Known for operating in the shadows, Zambada is seen as an “old-school” narco. El Chapo’s sons, in contrast, are known for being flashy, courting attention, and displaying more violent and hot-headed behavior.
In Texas, Zambada faces charges including continuing criminal enterprise, narcotics importation conspiracy, and money laundering. An indictment filed in April 2012 alleges cartel members under Zambada and El Chapo kidnapped a Texas resident in 2009 due to a seized marijuana shipment and a US citizen and his family in 2010. Both victims were murdered, with their bodies discovered in Juarez, Mexico.
Mexican security minister Rosa Rodriguez confirmed the US informed them of the detentions, but Mexican authorities did not participate.
“The Mexican government did not participate in this detention or surrender,” Rodriguez said at a press conference.
It remains unclear whether the two men were captured or surrendered themselves to US authorities.
During an initial court appearance in Texas, Zambada, who is believed to be in his 70s and appeared in a wheelchair, was read his rights and charges.He directed a not guilty plea, which was accepted by US Magistrate Judge Anne Berton. Zambada waived his right to be present at an arraignment next Wednesday but must attend a status conference next Thursday before US District Judge Kathleen Cardone, who will oversee the case.
Zambada’s lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Zambada, believed to be one of Mexico’s most influential traffickers, is accused of co-founding the Sinaloa Cartel with El Chapo. El Chapo was extradited to the US in 2017 and is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison.
Both Zambada and Guzman Lopez face charges in the United States for distributing large quantities of fentanyl and other drugs. Fentanyl overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.
Guzman Lopez, in his 30s, is scheduled to appear in court in Chicago next week.
The arrests occurred after the two landed in a private plane in the El Paso area on Thursday. Reuters first reported the story, followed by a Justice Department statement confirming their detention in El Paso.
US President Joe Biden praised the arrests and committed to continuing the fight against drug trafficking.
“Too many of our citizens have lost their lives to the scourge of fentanyl. Too many families have been broken and are suffering because of this destructive drug,” he said in a statement.
According to three current and former US officials, Guzman Lopez lured Zambada to the US. Drug lords have been key targets for US authorities, often resulting in plea bargain deals in exchange for information to capture other high-ranking cartel figures. However, Reuters could not confirm if a plea bargain deal had been made.
Since their father’s extradition in 2017, El Chapo’s sons and Zambada have had a fractious relationship. These arrests may trigger instability or violence in the cartel’s stronghold, Sinaloa. To bolster security, Mexico’s defense ministry dispatched 200 special forces soldiers to the state.
In 2008, a violent inter-cartel war erupted when another senior Sinaloa leader was detained. His family accused El Chapo of orchestrating the arrest, leading to a fierce conflict between powerful cartel factions.
Guzman Lopez is one of four sons of El Chapo, known as Los Chapitos or Little Chapos, who inherited their father’s faction. His brother, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, was arrested last year and extradited to the US.
There were rumors circulating on social media that Ovidio Guzman had been released. However, US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar confirmed he “remains in custody in the United States.”
In recent years, the Sinaloa Cartel has been the primary target for US authorities who accuse the syndicate of being the largest supplier of fentanyl to the US. The cartel traffics drugs to over 50 countries and is one of Mexico’s two most powerful organized crime groups.
Zambada’s style contrasts sharply with that of El Chapo’s sons. Known for operating in the shadows, Zambada is seen as an “old-school” narco. El Chapo’s sons, in contrast, are known for being flashy, courting attention, and displaying more violent and hot-headed behavior.
In Texas, Zambada faces charges including continuing criminal enterprise, narcotics importation conspiracy, and money laundering. An indictment filed in April 2012 alleges cartel members under Zambada and El Chapo kidnapped a Texas resident in 2009 due to a seized marijuana shipment and a US citizen and his family in 2010. Both victims were murdered, with their bodies discovered in Juarez, Mexico.
Mexican security minister Rosa Rodriguez confirmed the US informed them of the detentions, but Mexican authorities did not participate.
“The Mexican government did not participate in this detention or surrender,” Rodriguez said at a press conference.
It remains unclear whether the two men were captured or surrendered themselves to US authorities.
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