Sinaloa Cartel Leader ‘El Mayo’ Zambada Arrested in US on Drug Trafficking Charges

Jul 26 (Jowhar.com) – One of the world’s drug traffickers, the most famous Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, was arrested in El Paso, Texas in the United States.

Zambada, 76, co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is now in custody in the United States.

Zambada was arrested Thursday along with Guzman’s son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, according to the US Department of Justice.

In February, Zambada was charged by US prosecutors with being behind the manufacture and distribution of fentanyl, a drug more powerful than heroin.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Zambada was tricked into boarding a plane that was said to be inspecting a secret airfield in Mexico but was landed in the United States.

Guzman Lopez surrendered to US authorities and is believed to be behind the Zambada plot because he accused Guzman of arresting his father, who is serving a life sentence in a US prison.

US authorities have previously noted that fentanyl is the leading cause of death in the US for people aged 18 to 45.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has offered a $15m (£12m) reward for Zambada’s capture.

During the trial of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman in 2019, his lawyers accused Zambada of bribing the entire Mexican government to live openly without fear of prosecution.

In addition to the fentanyl charges, Zambada also faces charges including drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, money laundering and organized crime.