Mexican Drug Kingpin “El Mayo” Captured in El Paso, Co-Founder’s Son Surrenders to U.S. Authorities
In a major victory for law enforcement, Ismael Zambada Garcia, also known as “El Mayo,” the co-founder of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel, was taken into custody in El Paso on Thursday. The Department of Justice also confirmed the arrest of Juaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of the cartel’s other co-founder, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
“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 announced. “Ismael Zambada Garcia, or ‘El Mayo,’ co-founder of the Cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of its other co-founder, were arrested today in El Paso, Texas.”
According to a federal law enforcement source, Guzman Lopez surrendered to U.S. authorities and cut a deal, leading to the capture of El Mayo. The source revealed that Guzman Lopez boarded a private plane with El Mayo, which unexpectedly flew north to El Paso instead of south to Mexico, where the arrests took place.
El Mayo, who had a $15 million reward on his head, now faces multiple indictments related to drug trafficking and organized crime in the United States. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the significance of the arrests, stating that the duo had overseen the trafficking of large quantities of drugs into the U.S. and were responsible for related violence.
The capture of El Mayo and the surrender of Guzman Lopez mark a significant milestone in the fight against transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel. The Justice Department is determined to hold all cartel leaders and associates accountable for their actions, especially in light of the devastating impact of drugs like fentanyl on American communities.
The arrest of El Mayo comes after years of evading capture and allegedly running the Sinaloa Cartel from Mexico. The superseding indictment against him outlined his role in a criminal enterprise responsible for importing and distributing narcotics, generating billions in profits, and carrying out violent acts to maintain the cartel’s dominance.
With the capture of El Mayo and the surrender of Guzman Lopez, the Justice Department continues its relentless pursuit of dismantling criminal organizations that pose a threat to public safety. The arrests serve as a warning to other cartel leaders that they will be held accountable for their actions.
For breaking news updates, follow Greg Wehner on Twitter @GregWehner or email story tips to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com.
