Two top leaders of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel arrested in US
File photo.
Two top leaders of the notorious Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel were arrested on Thursday (July 25)in Texas. In a statement, the US Justice Department said it arrested Sinaloa's co-founderIsmael Zambada Garcia (aka El Mayo) and El Chapo's sonJoaquin Guzman Lopez.
Washingtonhad offered a $15 million reward for information leading to Zambada's arrest.
"Both men are facing multiple charges in the United States for leading the Cartel’s criminal operations, including its deadly fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks," the Justice Department said.
"El Mayo and Guzman Lopez joina growing list of Sinaloa Cartel leaders and associates who the Justice Department is holding accountable in the United States," it added.
Another major blow to Sinaloa
The arrests were another major blow to the Sinaloa cartel. El Chapo (akaJoaquin Guzman) is already behind bars and is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison in the US.
Chapowas convicted in 2019 of running what was believed to be the world's biggest narcotics syndicate.
After El Chapo's capture, several of his sons, collectively known as the "Chapitos" or "The Little Chapos," inherited control of the organisation, according to the US authorities.
One of his sons,Ovidio Guzman Lopez, was extradited to the US in 2023 to face narcotics charges.
Iron grip over law enforcement
According to the think tankInSight Crime, the Sinaloa cartelhas forged connections at the highest levels of Mexico's federal police and military and has bribed members of both institutions to maintain an advantage over rival organisations.
Zambada is believed to have never served time in prison, and US authorities have been after him for decades. Before Zambada was detained, InSight Crimes said that hewas known primarily for maintaining a low profile and a focus on business over violence.
"In addition, he is one of the few old-guard bosses who has managed to evade justice throughout his criminal career," the think tank added.