Sinaloa Cartel Leaders Arrested in Texas

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a prominent leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, was arrested in Texas alongside Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of his former partner Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. Zambada, 76, co-founded the cartel known for its extensive involvement in fentanyl trafficking and money laundering, and he had evaded capture for decades despite a $15 million reward for his arrest. The U.S. Justice Department announced that both men face multiple charges related to leading the cartel's drug operations, including the production and distribution of fentanyl. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the seriousness of the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. and vowed to hold accountable those responsible for drug trafficking. This arrest is seen as a significant blow to the Sinaloa cartel, which has been connected to over 450,000 murders related to drug violence in Mexico. Zambada's arrest follows his indictment earlier this year for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, further highlighting the ongoing efforts to dismantle powerful drug trafficking organizations.