In a significant development, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, one of the globe’s most notorious drug lords and leader of the Sinaloa cartel, has been apprehended by US federal agents in El Paso, Texas.
At 76, Zambada co-founded the criminal organization alongside Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is currently imprisoned in the US.
Zambada’s arrest also involved the capture of Guzman’s son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, as confirmed by the US Justice Department.
Earlier this year, Zambada was indicted by US prosecutors on charges related to a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a highly potent substance that has contributed to an escalating opioid crisis in the United States.
In a statement released on Thursday, US Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the two men are at the helm of “one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations globally.”
“El Mayo and Guzman Lopez are among a growing list of Sinaloa cartel figures being held accountable in the US,” Garland emphasized.
He further remarked, “Fentanyl represents the deadliest drug threat our country has ever confronted, and we will not relents until those responsible for this crisis are brought to justice.”
According to American prosecutors, the Sinaloa cartel stands as the primary drug supplier to the US, exacerbating the fentanyl crisis that is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had long been pursuing Zambada, offering a reward of $15 million for information leading to his capture.
During Guzman’s 2019 trial, allegations surfaced that Zambada had bribed officials within the Mexican government, allowing him to operate with impunity.
The US State Department has identified Zambada as owning several legitimate businesses in Mexico, including a milk company, a bus service, and a hotel, in addition to various real estate holdings.
He is facing not only fentanyl-related charges but also serious allegations involving drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, money laundering, and organized crime.
This May, Zambada’s nephew, Eliseo Imperial Castro, known as “Cheyo Antrax,” was killed in an ambush in Mexico while wanted by US authorities.
Widely recognized as one of the world’s leading drug lords, Zambada has eluded capture for decades, making his arrest a shocking turn of events.
Details surrounding the arrests remain unclear, although reports suggest Zambada was deceived into flying to the US by a high-ranking member of the cartel as part of a coordinated operation by federal agencies.
Authorities indicate that Zambada was under the impression he was traveling to inspect clandestine air operations in Mexico.
As more developments arise, it is expected that the Biden administration will herald Zambada’s arrest as one of the DEA’s most significant achievements in recent years.
Zambada’s involvement with the Sinaloa cartel dates back to its inception following the collapse of the Guadalajara cartel in the late 1980s.
While “El Chapo” Guzman may have been the public figurehead, many insiders believe Zambada was the true architect of the organization’s operations.
Zambada was not only ruthless but also innovative, establishing early ties with Colombian cartels to flood the US market with cocaine, heroin, and more recently, fentanyl.
His leadership has persisted amidst shifting US and Mexican administrations, as well as persistent anti-drug campaigns and rival factions aiming to dismantle his empire.
Zambada’s lengthy evasion of justice marked him as a formidable figure in the dangerous narcotics underworld.
However, it appears that his resilience has finally ended in El Paso, a city significantly impacted by the influx of fentanyl, much of it smuggled by the Sinaloa cartel.
