Background on Ismael “Mayo” Zambada
Ismael “Mayo” Zambada, a 75-year-old former Mexican drug kingpin, admitted in a U.S. court on Monday to ordering killings and shipping millions of kilograms of cocaine over the decades he led the violent Sinaloa Cartel.
Zambada faces a mandatory life sentence after pleading guilty in a Brooklyn court to conspiracy charges for extortion and leading a criminal organization responsible for flooding the U.S. with cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
Zambada’s Role in the Sinaloa Cartel
Zambada, alongside imprisoned narcotraficant Joaquín “Chapo” Guzmán, led the Sinaloa Cartel for decades. The cartel is accused of generating billions in illegal profits through drug trafficking while spreading violence, corruption, and bribery on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Admissions in Court
During the court appearance, Zambada admitted to a life of crime starting with planting a marijuana plant in 1969 at age 19. He claimed the Sinaloa Cartel, under his leadership, transported over 1.5 million kilograms of cocaine annually, generating hundreds of millions in revenue.
Zambada acknowledged bribing Mexican politicians and law enforcement to protect drug trafficking operations and ordered killings of rivals, though he expressed remorse for any innocent lives lost.
No Cooperation with U.S. Authorities
Zambada’s attorney, Frank Pérez, stated that his client would not share information or implicate Mexican politicians in the U.S. legal proceedings, emphasizing that there is no collaboration agreement with the Department of Justice.
Impact on the U.S. Drug War
The U.S. government, represented by Attorney General Pamela Bondi and FBI officials, vowed to continue their fight against drug trafficking following Zambada’s guilty plea.
Bondi described Zambada as an “international drug terrorist” and assured that he would face justice accordingly. The successful prosecution of Zambada, she said, brings the U.S. closer to eliminating drug cartels and international criminal organizations.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Ismael “Mayo” Zambada? A former Mexican drug kingpin and key leader of the Sinaloa Cartel alongside Joaquín “Chapo” Guzmán.
- What charges did Zambada plead guilty to? Conspiracy for extortion and leading a criminal organization responsible for flooding the U.S. with drugs.
- What did Zambada admit in court? Ordering killings and shipping millions of kilograms of cocaine over the decades he led the Sinaloa Cartel.
- Will Zambada cooperate with U.S. authorities? No, according to his attorney Frank Pérez; there is no collaboration agreement with the Department of Justice.
- What is the U.S. government’s stance on Zambada’s prosecution? The U.S. government, represented by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, vowed to continue the fight against drug trafficking and see Zambada’s prosecution as a step toward eliminating drug cartels.
