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Notorious drug cartel leader Ismael Zambada sentenced to life in US prison
Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, co-founder of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, has been sentenced to life in a US prison, two years after being lured to the United States in an elaborate sting operation. The 76-year-old was also ordered to pay $15bn (£11bn) in drug-trafficking profits, in a case that marks the end of a near four-decade career at the top of one of the world's most powerful criminal organisations, though it comes amid continuing bloodshed as rival factions of the cartel battle for control.
Zambada was arrested in July 2024 after being tricked by El Chapo's son into believing they were flying to inspect airstrips in northern Mexico, only for the plane to land in Texas. He pleaded guilty last year to drug smuggling and conspiracy charges to avoid the death penalty, and was sentenced on Monday by US District Judge Brian Cogan in Brooklyn. Prosecutors have described him as one of the most prolific narcotraffickers in history; where he will serve his sentence remains undecided, with Zambada requesting a prison hospital for age-related health issues while federal prosecutors argue he still poses a security threat.
In short
- Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Zambada sentenced to life plus $15bn fine
- Caught in 2024 after being tricked into flying to the US
- Cartel remains split by violent infighting since his arrest
Explained simply
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada was the co-founder and long-time leader of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, one of the world's largest and most violent drug trafficking organisations. For nearly four decades, he ran a vast criminal network responsible for smuggling enormous quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs into the United States and beyond.
Zambada evaded capture far longer than most of his counterparts, operating from remote Mexican strongholds and protected by corruption networks. His authority was shaped partly by an earlier alliance with Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, another kingpin, though the two eventually became rivals and El Chapo was extradited. The Sinaloa Cartel became a major focus for law enforcement on both sides of the US-Mexico border.
In recent years, the Sinaloa Cartel has fragmented as internal factions battle for control, fuelling significant bloodshed across Mexico. The cartel's operations and violent disputes continue even with its long-time leader no longer in control of the organisation.
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