The top leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, has been able to evade U.S. law enforcement for decades, despite his involvement in the world’s largest manufacturer and smuggler of fentanyl pills and other drugs to the United States. Zambada, along with his former partner Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera, was arrested in Texas after arriving on a private plane. Zambada has entered a plea of not guilty in federal court in El Paso to drug trafficking charges, including conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl. Prosecutors have described him as leading one of the most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations in the world.
Born in 1948 in Sinaloa, Zambada started his criminal career as an enforcer in the 1970s and later became a major figure in the Juarez cartel. After the cartel split, Zambada joined forces with “El Chapo” Guzmán, helping to transform the regional smuggling syndicate into the Sinaloa cartel. Known for his strategic approach and ability to broker deals, Zambada has kept a low profile, avoiding flamboyant displays and extreme violence. He has earned the loyalty of locals in Sinaloa through acts of kindness, a common practice among Mexican kingpins who are often celebrated in narcocorridos.
The Sinaloa cartel’s most lucrative trade is now fentanyl, with large-scale operations producing pills in Mexico. The cartel has diversified over the years to meet the demand for various drugs in the United States, including methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana. The FBI Director Christopher Wray has stated that Zambada oversaw the trafficking of tens of thousands of pounds of drugs into the U.S. The Drug Enforcement Agency has identified fentanyl as the most urgent drug threat in the country, responsible for a significant number of fatal overdoses.
The arrests of Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López have significant implications for both Mexico and the United States. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that Mexico was not involved in the operation and is awaiting further details. The arrest of Zambada, who has longstanding connections within the Mexican government, has raised concerns among powerful figures in Mexico. There is speculation that Zambada could cooperate with U.S. authorities, potentially implicating high-ranking officials in corruption and collusion with cartels. This development has heightened anxieties among those who have benefitted from the cartel’s influence in Mexico.
The capture of Zambada comes at a critical time as the U.S. government continues its efforts to hold cartel leaders accountable for drug trafficking and related crimes. Attorney General Merrick Garland has affirmed the commitment to pursue all those responsible for perpetuating the drug trade. The apprehension of Zambada and other cartel members signals a major victory for law enforcement agencies in both countries. As the investigations progress, there may be further revelations about the extent of cartel influence in Mexico and the connections between drug traffickers and government officials.
