El Paso/Panjab Post
In a major breakthrough for U.S. law enforcement, Mexican drug kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s son, Guzman Lopez, were arrested on Thursday in El Paso, Texas. This high-profile operation marks a significant blow to the Sinaloa Cartel and could have far-reaching implications for the drug trade and cartel dynamics.
Ismael Zambada, one of the most notorious drug traffickers in history, and Guzman Lopez, a key figure in the Sinaloa Cartel, were detained after arriving in a private plane at Santa Teresa Airport. Zambada, believed to be in his 70s, and Guzman Lopez, in his 30s, face numerous charges in the U.S. related to drug trafficking, including the distribution of fentanyl, a potent opioid that has surged as a leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45.
Sources within U.S. law enforcement have revealed that Zambada’s arrival in the U.S. was orchestrated by Guzman Lopez. The operation was carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The arrest came after a Beechcraft King Air landed at Santa Teresa Airport, where federal agents awaited the arrival of the two men.
Both Zambada and Guzman Lopez were taken into custody without incident. The U.S. government had previously offered a $15 million reward for Zambada and a $5 million bounty for Guzman Lopez.
Zambada, who co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel with El Chapo, has long been a central figure in the drug trade. His arrest, along with that of Guzman Lopez, who inherited his father’s faction of the cartel, is expected to create upheaval within the organization. The Sinaloa Cartel, known for its extensive drug trafficking operations, may face internal strife and violence as a result of these arrests.
The Sinaloa Cartel, which has been a primary target for U.S. authorities, is accused of being a leading supplier of fentanyl to the U.S. The cartel’s operations span over 50 countries, making it one of the most powerful organized crime groups globally.
This operation is part of a broader crackdown on drug traffickers by U.S. authorities, who have intensified efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Recent indictments have focused on fentanyl smuggling and the flow of precursor chemicals to illicit labs operated by drug syndicates.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland commented on the arrests, stating, “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced. The Justice Department is committed to holding accountable every single individual responsible for this crisis.”
The arrests of Zambada and Guzman Lopez could lead to further instability within the Sinaloa Cartel and impact the broader drug trade. Law enforcement officials are closely monitoring the situation as they continue to tackle the ongoing issue of drug trafficking and its devastating effects on communities across the nation.