Leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel arrested in Texas
Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, leader of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel, has been arrested by US federal agents in El Paso, Texas. He is 76 years old and co-founded the cartel with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Zambada was charged in February with a conspiracy to make and distribute fentanyl, a drug that has caused thousands of deaths in the US. He believed he was going to inspect clandestine airfields in Mexico but was tricked into boarding a private plane by his own organization.
Guzman’s son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, also arrested, turned on Zambada because he blamed him for his father’s capture. The Sinaloa cartel is the largest supplier of drugs to the US and has been linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland said the cartel leads one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing the country, and the Justice Department will not rest until every cartel leader responsible for poisoning communities is held accountable.
Zambada has been evading authorities for decades and is considered the biggest drug lord in the world. His arrest comes as a shock in Mexico, where he was believed to be untouchable.
FBI Director Chris Wray said the arrests are an example of the FBI’s commitment to dismantling violent criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng4g31x1wo