After a life of crime exporting cocaine, marijuana, and heroin to the United States, it was fentanyl that caused the fall of one of Mexico's most infamous kingpins. Ismael El Mayo Zambada was captured on Thursday afternoon at the Santa Teresa airport in El Paso, Texas, alongside Joaquín Guzmán López, son of the notorious El Chapo Guzmán. The two men lead rival factions of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, and their capture has been celebrated at the highest levels of Washington. President Joe Biden hailed the arrest on Friday, amidst accusations from Republicans of allowing the flow of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for hundreds of thousands of American deaths.
The circumstances surrounding Zambada's arrest remain unclear. Reports suggest he had been negotiating for three years to surrender to U.S. authorities, while others claim he was betrayed by Guzmán López, who lured him onto a plane under false pretenses. Mexican officials have expressed confusion over the details, with Secretary of Security Rosa Icela Rodríguez stating, “We do not know if it was a delivery or a capture.” President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also commented, indicating uncertainty about the nature of the operation.
Zambada faces serious charges including fentanyl trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy to kill. If convicted, he could face a fate similar to El Chapo, who is serving a life sentence. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the significance of the arrests, labeling them a major blow to one of the world's most violent drug organizations. The Department of Justice has made it clear that they will pursue cartel leaders relentlessly as part of the fight against the fentanyl crisis, which has led to over 100,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
Despite being one of the most wanted drug traffickers for decades, Zambada had not spent a single day in prison until now. His criminal empire reportedly generated billions of dollars, and he was known for maintaining a lavish lifestyle while evading capture. His arrest marks a significant turning point in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the U.S., particularly the influx of deadly fentanyl from Mexico. The DEA has particularly focused on the Sinaloa cartel, which has been implicated in the production and distribution of this dangerous drug.
Mexican President López Obrador has called for a full report from the U.S. regarding the operation, emphasizing the need for transparency and cooperation. The Mexican government had no prior knowledge of the operation, raising questions about the coordination between the two nations in combating drug trafficking. The situation in Sinaloa remains calm, with the Mexican military deployed to prevent any potential organized crime activities in the wake of these arrests.
