July 28th 2024.
How Did El Mayo Get Caught by US Authorities?
The recent arrest of Sinaloa cartel co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada by US federal agents has left many wondering how a man who evaded capture for over 50 years was finally caught. According to officials, it all started with an act of betrayal.
The details of the operation that led to Zambada's arrest are still emerging, but what is known is that it was one of the most significant and stunning cartel busts in recent memory. US officials, who have spoken with CNN, revealed that another major cartel figure, Joaquín Guzmán López, played a key role in orchestrating Zambada's arrest.
Guzmán López, the son of convicted cartel boss Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, allegedly deceived Zambada and lured him into a trap. Officials say that Zambada believed he was flying to northern Mexico to look at real estate with Guzmán López, but instead, their plane landed near El Paso, Texas, where US authorities were waiting for them. It is still unclear how Guzmán López was able to deceive Zambada and why he chose to turn on him.
Neither Zambada nor Guzmán López have given their account of what happened, but Zambada's attorney, Frank Perez, has stated that his client did not voluntarily come to the US. Guzmán López is expected to appear in federal court in Chicago, accompanied by his attorney Jeffrey Lichtman. However, Lichtman has declined to comment on the case.
As more details about the arrest emerged, some have questioned the accuracy of the information shared by officials. Steven Dudley, an expert on cartels, has expressed his doubts, stating that the story may change as more information comes to light. Even Mexico's president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the case and has called for a complete report from the US government.
What is clear is that the arrests of Zambada and Guzmán López are a significant development in the decades-long effort to capture and prosecute alleged cartel bosses. It is also a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of the world's most notorious criminal enterprises.
But this was not the first time authorities had Zambada in their sights. In a 2010 interview, Zambada revealed that Mexico's military had come close to capturing him four times before. He spoke of his constant fear of being caught and his ability to evade capture due to his knowledge of the land. This interview was one of his last known public appearances before he became less visible, with his name resurfacing during the high-profile trial of El Chapo.
It is clear that the capture of El Mayo is a major victory for authorities in their fight against the Sinaloa cartel. But it also raises questions about the inner workings of the cartel and the role of its leaders. As the investigation continues and more information is revealed, the world will gain a better understanding of the notorious and nefarious operations of the Sinaloa cartel.
How did a reputed leader of a powerful drug cartel, who managed to evade law enforcement for over 50 years, suddenly end up in the hands of US federal agents? According to officials, it all began with an act of betrayal. While the details are still emerging, it is being hailed as one of the most significant and surprising busts of a drug cartel in recent history. In this article, we will delve into the events that led up to this momentous capture and explore the inner workings of one of the world's most notorious criminal enterprises.
Last week, US officials revealed that a major cartel figure, who was arrested alongside Sinaloa cartel co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, played a crucial role in orchestrating their arrest. This key player was none other than Joaquín Guzmán López, one of the sons of convicted cartel boss Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. According to sources, Guzmán López duped Zambada by luring him to northern Mexico under the pretense of looking at real estate. However, their small private plane landed near El Paso, Texas, where US authorities were waiting to apprehend them.
But how was Guzmán López able to deceive Zambada and why did he turn on him? These questions remain unanswered as we have yet to hear from either man about what transpired. During his first federal court appearance on Friday, Zambada pleaded not guilty to all charges. His attorney, Frank Perez, stated that his client did not willingly come to the US and that he typically does not comment on criminal cases. On the other hand, Guzmán López's attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, revealed that his client is expected to appear in federal court in Chicago on Tuesday. Lichtman expressed his eagerness to work on the case with Guzmán López but declined to comment further.
Despite the information shared by officials, some experts are skeptical and believe that the story may change in the future. InSight Crime's Steven Dudley, who has been investigating drug trafficking and organized crime for over a decade, stated that he would not be surprised if the details of this bust are altered. As reporters pressed for answers during a press conference, Mexico's president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, also questioned the transparency of the situation. He insisted that the US government must provide a complete report and not just general statements.
What is clear is that the arrests of Zambada and Guzmán López is a major breakthrough in the decades-long effort to capture and prosecute alleged cartel leaders. The events that led up to this moment offer a glimpse into the inner workings of this notorious and nefarious criminal enterprise. However, this is not the first time that Zambada has been targeted by authorities. In a 2010 interview with Proceso magazine, Zambada revealed that Mexico's military had come close to capturing him at least four times. He also expressed his constant fear of being locked up.
For a man who has kept a significantly lower profile compared to his infamous colleague El Chapo, Zambada's name resurfaced during the high-profile trial of Guzmán in 2018 and 2019. Guzmán's lawyer even argued that Zambada was the true leader of the cartel. With these recent events, it is evident that authorities had been closing in on Zambada before. It remains to be seen what will happen next and how this will impact the operations of the Sinaloa cartel. But one thing is for sure, the details surrounding this dramatic moment offer a glimpse into the dangerous and elusive world of drug cartels.
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