By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies

El Paso, TX — In a dramatic turn of events, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, one of the world’s most powerful and elusive drug lords, was arrested by US federal agents in El Paso, Texas, on Thursday. The 76-year-old leader of Mexico’s notorious Sinaloa cartel was apprehended along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of his long-time associate and co-founder of the cartel, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

The US Justice Department confirmed the arrests and highlighted Zambada’s recent indictment in February on charges of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid responsible for a significant portion of the US opioid crisis. The Sinaloa cartel is recognized as the leading supplier of illicit drugs to the United States, with fentanyl identified as the foremost cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45.

Details surrounding the capture remain unclear, but reports indicate that Zambada and Guzman Lopez were lured into boarding a private plane under false pretenses. According to the Wall Street Journal, a high-ranking Sinaloa member tricked Zambada into believing he was to inspect clandestine airfields in Mexico. Instead, the plane flew north, landing in El Paso where US authorities awaited.

Fox News correspondent Bryan Llenas revealed that Guzman Lopez, feeling betrayed by Zambada for his father’s capture, surrendered to US officials and assisted in the operation. The New York Times reported that Zambada thought he was embarking on a routine trip within Mexico, only to find himself in the clutches of US law enforcement.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland lauded the arrests, stating, “Fentanyl is the deadliest 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 communities is held accountable.” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas added that the Sinaloa cartel “pioneered the manufacture of fentanyl and has for years trafficked it into our country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans and devastating countless communities.”

Ismael Zambada’s capture marks a significant victory for US law enforcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest. FBI Director Chris Wray emphasized the importance of this operation, calling it “an example of the FBI’s and our partners’ commitment to dismantling violent transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel.”

Zambada’s influence within the cartel, overshadowing even the infamous El Chapo, has been a constant in the drug trade for decades. His ability to evade capture and maintain power amid fierce competition and relentless anti-drug campaigns has made him a legendary figure in the criminal underworld. His arrest is expected to have profound implications for the Sinaloa cartel and the broader landscape of international drug trafficking.

The Sinaloa cartel’s establishment followed the fall of the Guadalajara cartel in the late 1980s. Under Zambada’s leadership, the organization forged critical connections with Colombian cartels, enabling a flood of cocaine and heroin into the United States. More recently, they have been pivotal in the distribution of fentanyl.

As more details emerge, President Joe Biden’s administration will likely herald Zambada’s arrest as one of the DEA’s most significant triumphs in recent years. The capture of such a high-profile figure symbolizes a substantial blow to the Sinaloa cartel and a step forward in the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis devastating American communities.