Accused Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia, co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, faces serious charges as federal prosecutors argue he is too dangerous for release while awaiting trial. Zambada, 76, has pleaded not guilty to 17 counts related to narcotics trafficking, making his first appearance in the same courthouse where El Chapo was convicted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Navarro emphasized the risk of flight, stating, "A United States jail cell is the only thing that will prevent the defendant from committing further crimes." Zambada's history includes forming a partnership with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, transforming the Sinaloa cartel into a powerful drug trafficking organization responsible for flooding the U.S. with fentanyl, cocaine, and other drugs.
Prosecutors described Zambada as one of the most powerful narcotics kingpins globally, controlling a "veritable army" of cartel members and employing methods such as assassinations, kidnappings, and bribery. Facing a top charge that is death-penalty eligible, he risks life imprisonment.
Zambada's arrest followed an alleged kidnapping by El Chapo's son, who forced him onto a plane bound for El Paso. This incident has sparked a treason investigation in Mexico, as the act of kidnapping is classified as treason under Mexican law.
The U.S. government had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Zambada's capture, who has been indicted in U.S. courts multiple times over the past two decades. His case is expected to be complex, involving extensive documentation and potential classified evidence.