One of the globe’s most formidable drug lords, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, has been detained by US federal agents in El Paso, Texas.
Zambada, 76, co-founded the notorious criminal organization with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the US.
Alongside Zambada, US authorities also apprehended Guzman’s son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, according to the Justice Department.
Earlier this year, in February, Zambada faced charges from US prosecutors for his involvement in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a potent opioid that has significantly contributed to the US opioid epidemic.
The specifics of the arrests are not yet fully known, but it appears that both men arrived in the US by plane.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Zambada was deceived into boarding the aircraft by a senior Sinaloa cartel member as part of a lengthy operation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.
The Journal reported that Zambada was under the impression he was traveling to inspect secret airstrips in Mexico.
The New York Times has reported that Zambada was “lured” onto the private plane under “false pretenses” by Guzman Lopez. Zambada believed the flight was heading south within Mexico, but it actually traveled north and landed in El Paso, as detailed by Fox News Correspondent Bryan Llenas.
Guzman Lopez surrendered to US authorities and turned on Zambada because he “blamed Mayo for the capture of his father”, Mr Llenas added.
In a written statement on Thursday evening, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said the two men lead “one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organisations in the world”.
“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, and the Justice Department will not rest until every single cartel leader, member and associate responsible for poisoning our communities is held accountable,” he added.
American prosecutors say the Sinaloa cartel is the biggest supplier of drugs to the US.
US authorities have previously noted that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been offering a reward of up to $15m (£12m) for Zambada’s capture.
During Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s trial in 2019, his lawyers accused Zambada of bribing the “entire” Mexican government in exchange for living openly without fear of prosecution.
“In truth [Guzman] controlled nothing,” Guzman’s lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, told jurors. “Mayo Zambada did,” he claimed.
According to the US state department, Zambada is also the owner of several legitimate businesses in Mexico, including “a large milk company, a bus line and a hotel”, as well as real estate assets.
Alongside fentanyl charges, he is also facing charges in the US ranging from drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, money laundering and organised crime.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had placed a reward of up to $15 million (£12 million) for information leading to Zambada’s capture. During Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s 2019 trial, Guzman’s defense team claimed that Zambada had bribed the entire Mexican government, allowing him to live freely without the threat of prosecution.
“In truth [Guzman] controlled nothing,” Guzman’s lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, told jurors. “Mayo Zambada did,” he claimed.
According to the US state department, Zambada is also the owner of several legitimate businesses in Mexico, including “a large milk company, a bus line and a hotel”, as well as real estate assets.
Alongside fentanyl charges, he is also facing charges in the US ranging from drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, money laundering and organised crime.