US Authorities Detain Notorious Drug Lords Zambada and Guzmán López
- Ismael Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, significant figures in drug trafficking, have been detained in the United States.
- Zambada, known as 'El Mayo', is a leader in the Sinaloa Cartel, continuing the legacy of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán.
- Their arrest may impact drug trafficking operations and the ongoing fight against organized crime.
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, US authorities arrested Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a 76-year-old leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, along with Joaquín Guzmán López, the 38-year-old son of the infamous Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Zambada, one of the cartel's founders, has been a prominent figure in the drug trade, known for his strategic alliances and extensive network in Colombia, which facilitated cocaine production. His rise to power is marked by a blend of cunning and community engagement, although he has also undergone surgeries to alter his appearance. Joaquín Guzmán López, also known as El Güero, is less known but is a key member of Los Chapitos, a faction comprising El Chapo's children. His brother, Ovidio, was extradited to the US in September 2022 after his arrest in January. Following the death of their older brother Edgar, Joaquín and Ovidio reportedly inherited substantial profits from narcotics sales, which they have reinvested into the drug trade, particularly in marijuana and cocaine. Both Joaquín and Ovidio are alleged to operate at least 11 methamphetamine production labs in Sinaloa. Their involvement in the drug trade extends to aiding their father’s escape from a maximum-security prison in 2015, highlighting their deep-rooted connections to the cartel's operations. The arrests mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the US and Mexico.