Two top leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel have reportedly turned themselves in to U.S. authorities near El Paso, Texas.
A prepared statement from the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that federal agents arrested Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquin Guzmán López, the eldest son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán. Known as El Mayo, he was the leader of a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel and considered the organization’s highest authority. Guzmán López was considered the eldest son of the Chapitos faction, which was once led by his father, El Chapo. The cartel faction is now led by the imprisoned boss’ sons.
The Justice Department did not provide details of the arrests, spurring speculation that the two leaders had gone into hiding from authorities. In recent months, the Chapitos and Mayo factions have come into open conflict, spurring widespread violence in western Mexico.
Statement by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Regarding the Arrests of Alleged Sinaloa Cartel Leaders Ismael Zambada Garcia (El Mayo) and Joaquín Guzmán López
: https://t.co/LumvDMKx2F pic.twitter.com/Wcm20MLrhC
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) July 26, 2024
The U.S. Department of Justice offered a $15 million bounty for El Mayo and the same amount for Lopez. The Chapitos brothers have come under intense scrutiny from U.S. authorities in recent years since federal prosecutors pinned the blame for the ongoing fentanyl crisis on them. The low-cost drug has become one of the main products used by the Chapitos brothers, both as a standalone drug and as a diluent to maximize profits for other drugs.
The arrest of both leaders is expected to have a significant impact on Mexico’s current drug trafficking situation, potentially leading to further fragmentation of the Sinaloa Cartel and widespread violence.
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist at Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management. twitter and FacebookContact details: email address.
Brandon Darby is Managing Director and Editor in Chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and other senior Breitbart executives. twitter and FacebookContact details: email address.
