Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a notorious figure in the Sinaloa Cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, have pleaded not guilty to U.S. drug charges. Their arraignment on Friday in Texas marked a significant event in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking.
Zambada, believed to be in his 70s and appearing in a wheelchair, had his rights and charges read to him in court. He chose to waive his presence at the next arraignment, with a status conference scheduled for Thursday before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone.
Both men face serious charges for allegedly trafficking large amounts of fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S. Fentanyl has become a major issue, with overdoses now a leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45.
Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel with El Chapo, and Guzman Lopez were apprehended after arriving in a private plane in El Paso on Thursday. President Joe Biden praised the arrests and reiterated his commitment to combat drug trafficking.
Guzman Lopez, who is in his 30s, will face court in Chicago next week. According to U.S. officials, he lured Zambada to the U.S., though Zambada’s lawyer claims he did not come voluntarily.
The arrests could lead to significant changes in Mexico’s criminal landscape, especially in the Sinaloa region. The Mexican defense ministry has dispatched 200 special forces soldiers to Sinaloa in response to potential unrest.
The Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most powerful organized crime groups globally, has faced increasing scrutiny from U.S. authorities. Zambada and Guzman Lopez represent different generations within the cartel, with Zambada known for his discreet operations and Guzman Lopez and his brothers known for their more violent and public demeanor.
The Texas charges against Zambada include continuing criminal enterprise, narcotics importation conspiracy, and money laundering. The indictment details past kidnappings and murders linked to the cartel.
Mexican officials confirmed they were informed of the arrests but did not participate in the operation. The exact circumstances of how Zambada and Guzman Lopez came into U.S. custody remain unclear.
