Seasoned Mexican drug cartel chief preparatory for court appearance in New York
Over two decades, American law enforcement has been on the hunt for Zambada, resulting in his capture on July 25, when he arrived in a private plane at an El Paso airport, accompanied by another wanted cartel leader, Joaquín Guzmán Loépez. As per federal authorities, this occurred outside El Paso.
In a subsequent letter, Zambada claimed he was forcibly abducted in Mexico and transported to the US by Guzmán Loépez, whose father, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, is the co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel and currently imprisoned.
US prosecutors in Brooklyn have petitioned the judge to keep Zambada in detention until his trial. If convicted on all charges, Zambada, 76, faces a minimum sentence of life in prison and the possibility of capital punishment.
In their letter to the judge, prosecutors described Zambada as "one of the world's most notorious and dangerous drug traffickers."
"The defendant maintained a stockpile of military-grade weapons to safeguard himself, his illegal substances, and his domain," the letter stated. "His heavily armed private security force served as personal protection and shielded drug shipments across Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and beyond. Moreover, Zambada maintained a roster of 'sicarios', or hitmen, who carried out grisly murders and kidnappings, maintaining order within his organization, countering challenges from rivals, and eliminating those who cooperated with law enforcement."
According to the prosecutors, Zambada even ordered the killing of his own nephew just a few months prior.
At a previous hearing in Texas, Zambada pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Zambada's sudden arrest has sparked violence among rival Sinaloa cartel factions in Mexico. Several lives have been lost in gunfights. Schools and businesses in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa, have been shut down due to the fighting. The clashes are thought to be between factions that support Zambada and those loyal to other sons of "El Chapo" Guzmán, who was convicted of drug and conspiracy charges and given a life sentence in the US in 2019.
The reasons behind Guzmán Loépez's surrender to US authorities and his decision to bring Zambada along remain uncertain. Guzmán Loépez is currently awaiting trial on separate drug trafficking charges in Chicago, where he has also pleaded not guilty to various federal court offenses.
In light of the charges against him, US prosecutors strongly argue that Zambada should remain in detention until his trial due to his dangerous nature and past actions. Throughout his criminal career, Zambada utilized a heavily armed private security force, a stockpile of military-grade weapons, and a group of hitmen to protect his illegal activities and maintain control over his criminal organization.
