Ismael Zambada, a Mexican drug kingpin accused of flooding the US with fentanyl, has been arrested in El Paso, Texas with the help of another cartel leader, Joaquin Guzman Lopez. The pair were lured across the border by federal agents, leading to their capture. Zambada, 76, is a co-founder and leader of the Sinaloa cartel, while Guzman Lopez, 38, is the son of the infamous El Chapo.
The arrests were a significant victory for US law enforcement, targeting the cartel’s deadly fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks. Zambada faces multiple charges, including a 2009 indictment in Illinois. After decades of eluding law enforcement, Zambada and Guzman Lopez were taken into custody by FBI agents, who intercepted their plane near El Paso.
Their capture strikes at the heart of the cartel responsible for trafficking large quantities of drugs into the US, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. The arrests were a result of exploiting a rift within the Sinaloa cartel, leading to the successful apprehension of the two leaders. US authorities had been seeking Zambada’s capture for years, offering a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
Zambada, known as “El Mayo,” has been a major international drug trafficker for his entire adult life but has never spent a day in jail. The US State Department describes him as the leader of the Zambada Garcia faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. Both Zambada and Guzman Lopez will now face justice in the United States for their roles in drug trafficking networks that have caused significant harm to communities across the country.
The arrests of Zambada and Guzman Lopez are seen as a significant blow to the cartel’s operations and a step towards holding those responsible for drug-related violence and deaths in the US accountable. The pair’s capture marks a major milestone in the fight against drug cartels and the trafficking of dangerous substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine that have claimed countless American lives.
Powerful cartel
The Sinaloa Cartel, originating in the Mexican state of Sinaloa in the late 1980s, is a prominent criminal organization involved in drug trafficking worldwide, generating billions in profits annually. The infamous leader, Guzman, also known as “El Chapo,” was arrested multiple times, escaping prison by bribing guards in dramatic fashion.
After being captured in 2016, he was extradited to the US, tried, and sentenced to life in prison for various criminal charges. During his trial, it was suggested that Zambada, another cartel member, was the true mastermind behind the organization. Zambada himself has faced recent indictments, including one related to fentanyl distribution, a potent opioid responsible for numerous deaths.
Zambada has been involved in the cartel since its inception and has overseen the import and distribution of substantial drug quantities, leading to massive profits. The indictment against him reveals that he employed individuals for obtaining transportation routes, storage facilities, and enforcers to carry out violent acts as a means of protecting the organization’s interests.
Zambada’s son, Vicente, has also been implicated in criminal activities, admitting to facilitating murders and kidnappings. However, he began cooperating with US authorities in 2011, helping to target high-level cartel members and associates, leading to numerous indictments across the country.
During Guzman’s trial, Vicente Zambada described their relationship and Guzman’s role in his life, highlighting their close bond. He referred to Guzman as “mi compadre” or “my buddy,” indicating a familial connection between them. Overall, both Guzman and Zambada have faced legal consequences for their involvement in the Sinaloa Cartel, with ongoing efforts to bring other key members to justice and dismantle the organization’s operations.
A history of violence
“El Mayo” Zambada, along with other suspected top Sinaloa leaders and 22 individuals connected to the cartel, including Guzman, was indicted by a US federal grand jury in April 2012 in Texas. The charges included murder, conspiracy related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime.
Guzman and Zambada had previously faced indictments in multiple US federal courts for drug trafficking and organized crime. The 2012 indictment in western Texas outlined violent acts committed by cartel members, including a kidnapping during a 2010 wedding in Ciudad Juarez that resulted in the deaths of three individuals.
Another incident described in the indictment involved the kidnapping, killing, and mutilation of a Texas resident in 2009. This individual was targeted in retaliation for the loss of a large shipment of marijuana seized by the Border Patrol. The story has been updated with new developments, with reporting contributions from CNN journalists.