Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a prominent figure in Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel and currently facing drug trafficking charges in a U.S. court, made his initial appearance before the presiding judge on Friday.
In a Brooklyn federal court, the 76-year-old made an appearance at a status conference before District Court Judge Brian Cogan. It is worth noting that Judge Cogan had previously sentenced another cartel leader, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, to life in prison following his conviction on drug trafficking charges in 2019.
Prosecutors claim that “El Mayo” and Guzmán transformed the Sinaloa cartel into a major producer and transporter of illegal drugs, importing massive amounts of narcotics into the United States. Despite the allegations, he maintains his innocence.
Serafín Zambada Ortiz, the son of “El Mayo,” was apprehended at the Nogales border crossing in 2013 due to his involvement in drug trafficking. After spending several years in prison, he was eventually released in 2018.
According to local media in San Diego, it was reported in 2014 that Serafin had agreed to a plea deal. In this deal, he admitted to purchasing over 100 kilos of cocaine and 1,000 kilos of marijuana with the intention of transporting them for sale in California.
According to family and friends, Serafin Zambada, also known as “Sera,” is not involved in the drug trade in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, where he resides and where his family originates from.
The arrest of “El Mayo” and Guzmán López in the U.S. has led to ongoing clashes between rival factions of the cartel in the state of Sinaloa.
Gunshots were fired at a building in Culiacan, the capital, which houses a local newspaper. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to the paper.
U.S. authorities have recently brought charges against a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, accusing him of operating a drug trafficking ring in Mexico. According to the authorities, the snowboarder is allegedly protected by the notorious Sinaloa cartel.
During a status conference, prosecutors informed the judge that certain evidence in the case against “El Mayo” is classified. As a result, his defense attorneys will require clearance, as stated by the office of the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
The judge has set “El Mayo’s” next court appearance for January 15th.
In a major breakthrough for U.S. law enforcement, authorities finally apprehended “El Mayo” in July. He was caught after arriving in a private plane at a Texas airport, alongside Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of Guzmán.
Guzmán López, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in Chicago, has entered a plea of not guilty.
In a recent development at the courthouse, Genaro García Luna, Mexico’s former secretary of public security, was handed a sentence of over 38 years in prison by Judge Brian Cogan. This punishment was given in light of García Luna’s involvement in accepting substantial bribes to safeguard the notorious Sinaloa cartel.
