Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, known as a co-founder of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel alongside Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The sentence was delivered by a U.S. federal judge on Monday.
After Guzmán’s capture in 2016, Zambada took the helm of the notorious criminal organization, continuing its operations. The Sinaloa cartel is infamous for drug trafficking and organized crime, impacting both local and international communities.
The sentencing took place in New York, where Zambada was escorted out of the federal court by U.S. marshals. This marks a significant moment in efforts to combat organized crime linked to the cartel.
“Zambada’s leadership of the Sinaloa cartel had profound effects on drug trafficking operations across the Americas,” stated legal authorities involved in the case.
The legal proceedings further underscore the international efforts to address and dismantle drug cartels that have operated for decades.