Sinaloa Cartel Co-Founder ‘El Mayo’ Pleads Not Guilty in New York Court

New York (AFP) – The co-founder of Mexico’s deadly Sinaloa cartel, Ismael Zambada, appeared in court in Brooklyn on Friday and pleaded not guilty to a series of charges following his arrest in a dramatic sting operation by U.S. agents.

Published on: 13/09/2024 – 18:01Altered: 13/09/2024 – 18:57

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Zambada, 76, looked frail as he appeared in a prison uniform at the federal courthouse. He needed help getting out of his chair and answered questions briefly from Judge James Cho.

In New York, Zambada, who has also been charged in Texas, is charged with 17 felonies, including conspiracy to manufacture and internationally distribute drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl. He faces up to life in prison for this charge.

His next court appearance is scheduled for October 31.

The office of U.S. Attorney Francisco Navarro opposed bail for Zambada, saying he poses an “extreme danger” to society and is a significant flight risk.

“The government is seeking permanent detention,” prosecutors said.

“Until his arrest on July 25, 2024, the suspect was one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, wanted drug lords in the world.”

In Texas, he pleaded not guilty to charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and conspiracy to commit murder.

“El Mayo joins the many other leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel charged in U.S. court for the immeasurable harm they have caused to families and communities across our country,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

‘Murders, kidnappings, torture’

Zambada co-founded the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman in the 1990s. Prosecutors say he “held sway over the drug trade for decades through extreme and sustained violence and widespread corruption of government officials.”

He evaded capture for most of his life, despite the US having a $15 million bounty on his head.

There has been an escalation of violence in Sinaloa, which authorities attribute to internal unrest within the Sinaloa cartel following Zambada's arrest. — There has been an escalation of violence in Sinaloa, which authorities attribute to internal unrest within the Sinaloa cartel following Zambada’s arrest. © Ivan MEDINA / AFP

On July 25, Zambada was arrested, seemingly out of nowhere, along with El Chapo’s son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, after they landed in the United States in a private jet.

“I was ambushed,” Zambada, 76, said in a statement released through his lawyer, saying he wanted to dispel rumors and misinformation surrounding his arrest.

Both Zambada’s lawyer and the U.S. ambassador to Mexico have previously stated that he was taken against his will.

Rising crime, much of it linked to drug trafficking and gangs, has killed more than 450,000 people in Mexico since 2006.

“Murders, kidnappings, torture, extortion and bribery were the tools of the defendant,” prosecutors said.

Mexico’s National Guard was deployed this week to the northwestern state of Sinaloa amid an escalation of violence that authorities say is the result of internal unrest within the Sinaloa cartel following Zambada’s arrest.