Sinaloa Cartel leader arrested for allegedly running lethal fentanyl production and trafficking networks

Two top Sinaloa cartel members from Mexico, including the group’s co-founder, have been detained by the US Justice Department for allegedly running lethal fentanyl production and trafficking networks.

Ismael Zambada Garcia, also referred to as “El Mayo,” who was a co-founder of the cartel, and Joaquin Guzman were charged, according to Attorney General Merrick Garland. Due to their alleged leadership of the cartel’s illegal activities, both men are being prosecuted in multiple states in the US.

“The deadliest drug threat our nation has ever faced is fentanyl,” Garland declared on Thursday. “The Department of Justice will not stop until all cartel leaders, members, and associates who have contaminated our communities are held accountable.”

Texas’ El Paso is where the arrests were made on Thursday.

Man with black hair and a moustache in a police mugshot
Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada’s undated police handout. Picture: Reuters
Charges against leaders of the Sinaloa cartel are a part of this campaign. More than two dozen Sinaloa cartel members, including the sons of infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, were indicted by the US Justice Department last year on suspicion of supplying precursor chemicals needed to produce fentanyl.

As per US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Sinaloa cartel has been smuggling millions of dollars, guns, and illegal drugs between Mexico and the United States. The group is based near Sonoyta, a Mexican city that is bordered by Arizona. Together with Guzman, Zambada formed the Sinaloa cartel; he is accused of multiple crimes.