Mexican Drug Lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada Arrested in Texas

EL PASO, TX — Notorious drug smuggler and Mexican cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was arrested near El Paso by U.S. authorities on Thursday. 

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, both Zambada and the son of another infamous cartel leader “El Chapo,” Joaquin Guzman Lopez, were taken into custody. Zambada and Lopez arrived in the United States on a private plane before turning themselves over to U.S. authorities. Zambada is most well known for operating the drug smuggling for the Sinaloa Cartel. 

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland released information to the media after Zambada’s arrest. Read the statement below:

“The Justice Department has taken into custody two additional alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world. Ismael Zambada Garcia, or “El Mayo,” cofounder of the Cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of its other cofounder, were arrested today in El Paso, Texas. 

Both men are facing multiple charges in the United States for leading the Cartel’s criminal operations, including its deadly fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks. 

El Mayo and Guzman Lopez join a growing list of Sinaloa Cartel leaders and associates who the Justice Department is holding accountable in the United States. That includes the Cartel’s other cofounder, Joaquin Guzman Loera, or “El Chapo”; another of El Chapo’s sons and an alleged Cartel leader, Ovidio Guzman Lopez; and the Cartel’s alleged lead sicario, Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, or “El Nini.”

Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, and the Justice Department will not rest until every single cartel leader, member, and associate responsible for poisoning our communities is held accountable.”