Top Sinaloa Cartel Leader ‘El Mayo’ Zambada Arrested in Major U.S. Operation

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a key figure in the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations globally, was apprehended by U.S. federal agents in El Paso, Texas. The 76-year-old co-founded the cartel with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the United States. Alongside Zambada, Guzman’s son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, was also arrested, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, was arrested in El Paso with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of El Chapo.

El Mayo, who co-founded the cartel with El Chapo, was charged with conspiracy to make and distribute fentanyl in February.pic.twitter.com/j7ZCIIbf9i

— No Jumper (@nojumper) July 26, 2024

In February, Zambada faced charges from U.S. prosecutors for conspiring to produce and distribute fentanyl, a potent opioid linked to the U.S. opioid crisis. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland labeled Zambada and Guzman Lopez as leaders of “one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world.” He emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to holding cartel members accountable, noting that fentanyl poses the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever encountered.

The Sinaloa cartel is identified by American prosecutors as the primary supplier of illegal drugs to the U.S., with fentanyl being the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had previously offered a $15 million reward for Zambada’s capture. During El Chapo’s 2019 trial, his defense suggested that Zambada had bribed the entire Mexican government to avoid prosecution.

Zambada is also known for owning several legitimate businesses in Mexico, including a large milk company, a bus line, a hotel, and various real estate holdings. In addition to fentanyl-related charges, Zambada faces accusations in the U.S. of drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, money laundering, and organized crime. His nephew, Eliseo Imperial Castro, known as “Cheyo Antrax,” was killed in Mexico in May; he was also wanted by U.S. authorities.

The leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel have been arrested by US authorities. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López were detained at a private airport in El Paso.

According to Mexican and US officials, Zambada was lured onto the plane by a high-ranking Sinaloa member… pic.twitter.com/JJ8KvFP0QV

— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) July 26, 2024

The arrest of Zambada, considered one of the world’s most influential drug lords, has caused a stir in Mexico, where he had evaded capture for decades. Details surrounding the arrests suggest Zambada was lured to the U.S. by a high-ranking Sinaloa member during a joint operation by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI. He believed he was traveling to inspect clandestine airfields in Mexico, according to reports.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas remarked on the Sinaloa cartel’s role in pioneering fentanyl production, which has devastated American communities. FBI Director Chris Wray highlighted the arrests as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle violent transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa cartel.

🚨#BREAKING: Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada has been arrested during a FBI sting operation in El Paso, Texas, local media reported. pic.twitter.com/3cmOXNItGa

— R A W S G L 🌎 B A L (@RawsGlobal) July 25, 2024

This arrest marks a significant achievement for the DEA and the Biden administration, reflecting the culmination of years of efforts to combat the Sinaloa cartel’s operations. Zambada, who co-founded the cartel after the fall of the Guadalajara cartel in the late 1980s, has been a resilient leader, maintaining his empire through various political and drug enforcement challenges. His innovative strategies, including early collaborations with Colombian cartels, have left a lasting impact on the drug trade, particularly in the U.S. His arrest in El Paso, a city deeply affected by fentanyl smuggling, signifies a major blow to the cartel’s operations.

Major Points:

• Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, was arrested by U.S. federal agents in El Paso, Texas, alongside Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of “El Chapo” Guzman.
• Zambada faces U.S. charges, including conspiracy to produce and distribute fentanyl, linked to the U.S. opioid crisis, along with drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, and money laundering.
• The Sinaloa cartel is identified as the largest drug supplier to the U.S., with fentanyl being the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45.
• Zambada was reportedly lured to the U.S. under false pretenses during a coordinated operation by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.
• The arrest is considered a significant victory for U.S. law enforcement, highlighting the ongoing efforts to dismantle the Sinaloa cartel and its impact on American communities.

Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News