Sinaloa Cartel Co-Founder Kidnapped and Arrested in U.S
- The co-founder of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel was reportedly kidnapped and transported to the U.S. before his arrest.
- His lawyer claims this was a betrayal orchestrated by the son of his former business partner.
- The incident raises questions about the cartel's internal conflicts and the complexities of law enforcement in dealing with organized crime.
July 28 (UPI) — Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, co-founder of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel, was reportedly kidnapped and flown to the United States prior to his arrest, according to his lawyer. Zambada was captured alongside Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of infamous cartel leader Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, during an operation in El Paso, Texas. The lawyer claims that Zambada was betrayed by Guzmán López, who allegedly lured him onto a plane. The arrests were announced late Thursday, but details surrounding the circumstances remain unclear. Mexico's Security Secretary, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, stated that it is uncertain whether Zambada or López had any prior communication with U.S. authorities. The two were apprehended at a small airport in New Mexico after being ambushed by six men in military uniforms. Witnesses reported that federal agents indicated they were expecting "VIPs" upon their arrival. Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that both men face multiple drug-related charges in the U.S. Zambada had a $15 million bounty on his head, having evaded capture for decades. The situation raises questions about whether Guzmán López will receive a more lenient sentence for his role in delivering Zambada to U.S. law enforcement, a feat that has eluded authorities for years. El Chapo Guzmán, who was extradited to the U.S. and sentenced to life in prison in 2019, remains a significant figure in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and organized crime.