The most influential drug lord in the world was found and detained thanks to the betrayal of one of his cartel members.
On Thursday, July 25, American law enforcement officers managed to arrest Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the leader of the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel and one of the most influential drug lords in the world.
This was reported by “BBC News Ukraine” with reference to Western media.
Sambada, who is already 76 years old, founded his cartel together with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is serving a sentence in a US prison.
“In February, US prosecutors charged Sambada with conspiring to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a drug more powerful than heroin that is believed to be the cause of the opioid crisis in the US,” the publication writes.
In addition to charges of fentanyl production, Sambada is also accused of drug trafficking, murder and kidnapping, money laundering and organized crime.
After the drug lord's arrest, Western media reported that he had been betrayed by a member of the cartel, who had agreed to cooperate with US intelligence agents and tricked Sambada into boarding the plane. The drug lord was sure he was flying to southern Mexico, but the plane took him to the El Paso airport, straight into the hands of Homeland Security and FBI agents.
That evening, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland issued an official statement confirming Zambada's arrest and calling him and “El Chapo” the men who lead “one of the most brutal and powerful drug trafficking organizations.”
“Fentanyl is the most deadly drug threat our country has ever faced, and the Justice Department will not rest until every single cartel leader, member, and associate responsible for poisoning our citizens is held accountable,” he added.
According to the US Attorney's Office, the Sinaloa Cartel is the largest supplier of drugs to the US. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) even offered a reward of up to $15 million for assistance in arresting Sambada.
According to the US State Department, in addition to criminal activity, Sambada also has legal businesses in Mexico, including a large dairy production facility, a bus line, and a hotel.
What is known about Ismael El Mayo Sambada
Sambada began his “career” in the drug business almost 50 years ago and has evaded justice all this time thanks to exorbitant bribes, as well as his pragmatism and cunning. Many consider him the main drug dealer in the world.
He went from a simple street drug dealer to “capo de capos” (boss of bosses). He worked in different cartels, gradually increasing his influence in the criminal world.
“When other bosses died or declined, Zambada became more and more powerful. He had no problem betraying an ally. But if something distinguishes him from other drug lords, it is that he always kept a low profile. There are almost no photos of him,” the publication notes.
There are many rumors about his life, but there is almost no exact information. 15 years ago, Mexican authorities arrested one of Zambada's sons, from whose testimony it became known that the drug lord allocated a million dollars a month in bribes in order to live almost openly and not fear prosecution. It is known that among his accomplices were banks and government officials.
Recall that the most famous drug lord of our time, El Chapo, received a life sentence plus 30 years on top. He repeatedly escaped from maximum-security prisons and for two decades was the most wanted criminal in the United States.
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