Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a 76-year-old co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, pleaded not guilty to a 17-count indictment in New York, including charges of narcotics trafficking and murder. Zambada, who has evaded arrest for decades, was apprehended on July 25 while traveling on a private plane with fellow cartel member Joaquin Guzman Lopez. Prosecutors allege that Zambada oversaw a drug empire responsible for flooding the U.S. with illegal narcotics, particularly deadly fentanyl, contributing to significant violence in both the U.S. and Mexico. The U.S. Department of Justice has called him one of the world's most dangerous drug traffickers, highlighting his extensive criminal network and use of military-grade weapons. Zambada's legal team claims he was abducted and brought to the U.S. against his will, a claim that is being examined as he remains in custody pending trial. If convicted, he could face life in prison or potentially the death penalty.