United States Law Enforcement Arrests Top Sinaloa Cartel Leaders
United States law enforcement officials arrested two top leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most dominant criminal organizations in Mexico, the Justice Department said on Thursday.
Two Top Leaders Arrested
On July 25, 2024, US law enforcement officials arrested two top leaders of the powerful Sinaloa cartel, including Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Ismael Zambada García, also known as “El Mayo,” was the other leader arrested. Both men were taken into custody in El Paso, Texas.
Background on the Leaders
Ismael Zambada García, 76, is a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel and has been pursued by US authorities for years. He has been charged in multiple federal indictments dating back over two decades. Unlike his top ally El Chapo, who was extradited to the US, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison, Zambada García has never spent time in jail. Joaquín Guzmán López is one of four sons of El Chapo, known as Los Chapitos, who inherited their father’s faction of the cartel. He was elevated to a leadership role in the cartel alongside his three brothers after El Chapo’s extradition to the US in 2017.
Arrest and Charges
The two leaders were arrested after landing in a private plane in El Paso, Texas. They face multiple charges in the US, including conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that has driven an overdose epidemic in the US. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stated that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 49.
Significance of the Arrests
The arrests of Zambada García and Guzmán López are a significant victory for US federal investigators, who have been pursuing the top ranks of the Sinaloa cartel for years. The Sinaloa cartel is one of the most dominant criminal organizations in Mexico and has been responsible for trafficking massive amounts of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl into the US.
Quote from Attorney General
“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, and the Justice Department will not rest until every single cartel leader, member, and associate responsible for poisoning our communities is held accountable,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement.
Timeline
2017: El Chapo is extradited to the US and sentenced to life in prison.
2024: Ismael Zambada García and Joaquín Guzmán López are arrested in El Paso, Texas, and face charges in the US for their role in leading the Sinaloa cartel’s drug trafficking operations