Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia, co-founder of Sinaloa Cartel, arraigned in New York on international drug charges

MIAMI — Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia, 76, a notorious leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, was arraigned today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, on multiple charges related to international drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and money laundering. Zambada Garcia, a long-time leader of the cartel, is accused of overseeing a vast drug empire that has funneled billions of dollars in illegal narcotics, including fentanyl, into the United States.

The charges, which span decades of criminal activity, allege that Zambada Garcia conspired to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, while leading one of the most violent and powerful drug cartels in the world. Zambada Garcia was ordered detained pending trial following his transfer from the Western District of Texas to the Eastern District of New York, after his arrest in New Mexico on July 25.

“El Mayo, the co-founder and leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, has been charged with overseeing a multi-billion-dollar conspiracy to flood American communities with narcotics, including deadly fentanyl,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege that El Mayo built, and for decades led, the Sinaloa Cartel’s network of manufacturers, assassins, traffickers, and money launderers responsible for kidnapping and murdering people in both the United States and Mexico.”

“For decades, the Sinaloa Cartel has profited from poisoning and killing Americans, and fueling violence on both sides of our southern border,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today’s arraignment of Zambada Garcia is the latest step in a whole-of-government effort to strike back against one of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations and protect our communities from the fentanyl epidemic.”

Zambada Garcia’s role in the cartel included leading the trafficking of vast amounts of illicit drugs, as well as overseeing operations that caused significant violence in Mexico and the U.S. His co-leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel, alongside Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, made the organization one of the most prolific and dangerous in the world, according to federal authorities.

“Better known as ‘El Mayo,’ Zambada Garcia is the co-founder and leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most ruthless and dangerous cartels in Mexico and responsible for the unprecedented drug crisis facing the United States,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “With Zambada Garcia no longer in power, we have struck at the heart of the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations.”

Zambada Garcia’s indictment comes as part of a broader effort to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel and combat the ongoing fentanyl crisis that has devastated communities across the United States. Federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations, were instrumental in Zambada Garcia’s capture and extradition.

Zambada Garcia now faces charges in the United States for his leadership role in the Sinaloa Cartel’s multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise. If convicted, he faces a lengthy prison sentence for his involvement in the trafficking of deadly narcotics that have contributed to the loss of countless lives.

“Zambada Garcia’s day of reckoning in a U.S. courtroom has arrived, and justice will follow,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York.

Drive-in movie theaters may seem like a relic of the past, but across the U.S. Northeast, a handful of these nostalgic spots are still going strong, offering classic cinema under the stars. Each theater has its own history and charm, making them popular destinations for both locals and visitors.

In Maine, the Narrow Gauge Drive-In in Farmington is a relatively new addition to the scene, having opened in 2017. Despite its smaller size, with a capacity for just 60 cars, it has become a beloved community spot during the warmer months. Its cozy, single-screen setup is perfect for a casual, family-friendly night out​.

Over in New Hampshire, the Northfield Drive-In has been entertaining moviegoers since 1948. Its unique location straddling the border with Massachusetts adds to its charm, and its vintage vibes combined with modern digital projection make it a local treasure​.

For something a bit quirkier, the Fairlee Motel and Drive-In Theater in Vermont offers a blend of old-school cinema and cozy accommodations. You can actually stay overnight in the attached motel, allowing you to roll straight from bed to your car to catch a double feature​.

On Cape Cod, the Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre is an iconic summer destination. Open since 1957, it’s not just a place to watch movies; it’s part of a larger complex that includes a flea market, mini golf, and even a dairy bar for ice cream. It’s the perfect mix of old-school Americana and Cape Cod charm​.

Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, the Rustic Tri-View Drive-In in North Smithfield has been running since 1951 and remains the last of its kind in the state. With three screens and space for over 500 cars, it’s a popular spot for catching blockbusters while enjoying the fresh air.

If you’re in Connecticut, the Mansfield Drive-In has been operating since 1954. Known for its nostalgic vibe and year-round flea market, it’s one of the largest in the region, with three screens and plenty of family-friendly fun​.

In New York, the Warwick Drive-In in Warwick is a picturesque venue with a backdrop of rolling hills. Open since 1950, this theater offers three screens and continues to draw crowds looking for a little throwback fun.

One of the oldest still operating drive-ins in the country is Shankweiler’s Drive-In in Orefield, Pennsylvania. Having opened in 1934, it has outlasted nearly all of its contemporaries and is still going strong, thanks to its commitment to preserving a slice of Americana​.

Further south in New Jersey, the Delsea Drive-In in Vineland is the last remaining drive-in in the state. Known for showing triple features and offering a full concession stand, Delsea keeps the retro experience alive for modern audiences​.

Lastly, in Maryland, Bengies Drive-In boasts the largest outdoor movie screen in America. Located in Middle River, it opened in 1956 and continues to impress with triple features on weekends and an old-school concession stand packed with treats​.

These drive-ins, spread across the Northeast, are not just places to watch movies—they’re destinations rich with history and nostalgia, offering a unique movie-going experience that harks back to simpler times. Whether you’re seeking a cozy night out or a full-fledged retro adventure, these theaters have something for everyone.

PHILADELPHIA — Rashad Johnson-Price, 20, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 135 months (more than 11 years) in federal prison for his role in two carjackings of ride-share drivers within the same week in August 2022. Johnson-Price was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $300 special assessment. U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson handed down the sentence following Johnson-Price’s guilty plea to two counts of carjacking and one count of using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Johnson-Price admitted to carjacking a Lyft driver at approximately 4 a.m. on August 9, 2022, in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. He also admitted to carrying and using a firearm during the crime. Just four days later, on August 13, 2022, Johnson-Price and an accomplice carjacked an Uber driver at approximately 5 a.m. In both incidents, Johnson-Price and his accomplice requested a ride-share service, and once they arrived near their destinations, they used a firearm to steal the vehicles from the drivers.

“The victims in this case were just trying to make an honest living when two criminals threatened them at gunpoint,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. “It must have been terrifying, especially in the early hours of the morning, with few other people around.”

Eric J. DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Philadelphia Field Division, added, “Luring victims through their ride-share service to take their cars and livelihood at gunpoint was a particularly awful crime that will not go unpunished.”

This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust in communities, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and ensuring that violent offenders are brought to justice.