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.