Two of the most powerful drug lords from Mexico’s notorious Sinaloa drug trafficking cartel have been arrested in New Mexico.
On Thursday, alleged Sinaloa co-founders Ismael Zambada Garcia, known as “El Mayo,” and Joaquin Guzmán López, the son of another Sinaloa co-founder, Joaquin Guzmán Loera, known as “El Chapo,” were arrested. Doña Ana County International Jetport Santa Teresa, New Mexico, located about 20 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas.
Journalist Luis Chaparro suggested in a recent Substack article that both alleged drug lords have essentially turned themselves in.
In February, Zambada, who co-founded Sinaloa with El Chapo in the 1980s, was indicted on charges of conspiring to manufacture and distribute fentanyl. Despite his extensive ties to one of the world’s most brutal drug cartels, Zambada “has never been to prison,” the State Department said.
That all changed this week when Zambada, 76, boarded a plane with Joaquin Guzman, 38, believing they were inspecting assets somewhere in Mexico. But Guzman has reportedly turned his back on Zambada in recent days, believing that Zambada was somehow involved in the arrest of Guzman’s father, El Chapo, who is currently serving a life plus 30-year sentence in Colorado’s super prison.
by The New York TimesGuzman “lured” Zambada “under false pretenses” to board a plane that then flew to the United States where federal agents were waiting.
Zambada and Guzman turned themselves in to authorities without incident at the New Mexico airport and were taken away separately. “It seemed pretty calm and planned,” said an airport official, speaking on condition of anonymity. CNNThis observation is consistent with what journalist Luis Chaparro stated in a recent article. Substack Article Both suspected drug lords have essentially turned themselves in.
Authorities extradited Guzman to Chicago but kept Zambada in the area. Zambada appeared in El Paso Magistrate Court on Friday.
Both men face multiple charges related to fentanyl manufacturing, drug trafficking and “leading the cartel’s criminal activity,” according to the Department of Justice. press release Said.
“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our nation has ever faced, and the Department of Justice will not rest until all drug cartel leaders, members and associates who poison our communities are held accountable,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said the arrests of El Mayo and El Chapo’s son “strike at the heart of the drug cartels that are killing Americans across the country with fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs.”
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