Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a notorious drug cartel leader and co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, was arrested in El Paso, Texas, as part of an elaborate sting operation. His former partner, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, also known as “El Chapo,” orchestrated Zambada’s capture by luring him to believe they were traveling to Mexico to discuss potential airstrip properties. Zambada, who had long evaded capture and expressed fear of imprisonment, was arrested alongside Guzman Lopez. The arrest raises questions about the future leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel and the potential for violence. After El Chapo’s arrest in 2016, infighting occurred among rival factions, resulting in chaos and bloodshed. However, former DEA agent Mike Vigil believes that a power struggle might be avoided this time due to the cartel’s strong leadership bench. The US has been focusing on apprehending individual cartel leaders under the “Kingpin strategy,” but some believe this approach may lead to internal conflict and violence among the cartels, benefiting rival gangs like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Zambada’s capture was significant because of his involvement in the production and distribution of fentanyl, which is now the leading cause of death for Americans between ages 18 and 45. US authorities plan to disrupt cartels producing fentanyl, diminish their influence, and dismantle leadership where possible.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1rwyl2x050o