Ismael Zambada Garcia, known as “El Mayo,” co-founder of the Sinaloa drug cartel, was arrested in El Paso along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of fellow cartel co-founder Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
The arrests were announced by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, highlighting the significance of apprehending two leaders of one of the world’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations.
“The Justice Department has taken into custody two additional alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world,” U.S. Attorney General Merick B. Garland stated. “Ismael Zambada Garcia, or ‘El Mayo,’ cofounder of the Cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of its other cofounder, were arrested today in El Paso, Texas.”
El Mayo faces numerous indictments related to drug trafficking, including a federal conspiracy charge for manufacturing fentanyl, which is a major cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45.
Guzman Lopez cooperated with authorities to facilitate the arrest of El Mayo, and both individuals have been linked to the trafficking of vast quantities of narcotics and associated violence.
“Today, the FBI and DEA arrested two alleged cartel leaders who have eluded law enforcement for decades,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said.
“Garcia and Guzman have allegedly overseen the trafficking of tens of thousands of pounds of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the U.S. along with related violence. These arrests are an example of the FBI’s and our partners’ commitment to dismantling violent transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel.”
“El Mayo and Guzman Lopez join a growing list of Sinaloa Cartel leaders and associates who the Justice Department is holding accountable in the United States. That includes the Cartel’s other cofounder, Joaquin Guzman Loera, or ‘El Chapo’; another of El Chapo’s sons and an alleged Cartel leader, Ovidio Guzman Lopez; and the Cartel’s alleged lead sicario, Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, or ‘El Nini.'” Garland said.
“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.”
The U.S. Justice Department has continued its efforts to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel and hold its leaders accountable for the drug crisis impacting communities across the country.
