A major crime boss and head of the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel faced 17 counts including murder and drug trafficking on Friday, September 13 in New York.
Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was pursued for over twenty years by American law enforcement agencies before being busted back in late July after his private plane landed in a tiny airstrip outside of El Paso. He complained about being kidnapped in a written letter, claiming the son of an imprisoned leader in the cartel was responsible. Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was arrested and incarcerated in the U.S. previously.
Prosecutors are asking that Zambada be incarcerated until his trial, given the extreme nature of his crimes and ability to travel. Zambada could face the death penalty, or spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted. Prosecutors described Zambada as a major global criminal and international drug trafficker in court documents.
They also wrote to the judge about Zambada’s private personal army which was armed with an arsenal of heavy weaponry and small arms. They also described how he had his own personal assassins, or “sicarios” which engaged in specialized murders or kidnappings. The men would target anyone who betrayed the cartel to law enforcement, members of enemy cartels, or anyone else who got in the way of the business of the organization.
Prosecutors also claimed that Zambada ordered a hit against his own nephew earlier this year. He’s denied all the charges and plead not guilty during a prior appearance.
His arrest has prompted an internal struggle for power within the Sinaloa cartel as one faction is loyal to him whereas the other is loyal to “El Chapo.” The fighting has closed schools and resulted in multiple deaths.
It wasn’t explained or elaborated as to why one of El Chapo’s sons would fly into the U.S. with Zambada as he’s set to face numerous charges himself. Guzman Lopez will face charges in Chicago on drug trafficking and has already pleaded not guilty.
