According to Zambada’s lawyer, Frank Perez, reputed Mexican drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was forcibly taken into custody by Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of the infamous Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera. Perez claims that Guzmán López, along with several men in military uniforms, ambushed and kidnapped Zambada, leading to his arrest upon arrival in the US, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The incident reportedly took place at a small airport near El Paso and was described as a deceptive plot to capture Zambada, who is pleading not guilty to multiple charges including drug trafficking and money laundering.
Denying any voluntary cooperation or negotiation with the US government, Perez stated that Zambada was forcibly restrained. “My client neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the US government,” Perez said. “Joaquín Guzmán López forcibly kidnapped my client. He was ambushed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed by six men in military uniforms and Joaquín. His legs were tied, and a black bag was placed over his head. He was then thrown into the back of a pickup truck, taken to a landing strip, and forced onto a plane, with his legs tied to the seat by Joaquín, and brought to the US against his will.” Perez added that the only people on the plane were the pilot, Guzmán López, and Zambada.
Guzmán López is facing federal indictments for drug trafficking and his role as a leader in the Sinaloa cartel, but court records do not indicate whether he has entered a plea.
One law enforcement source in Mexico described the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada as an “Epic, once-in-a-lifetime caper,” remarking, “The old man got tricked.” According to Perez, Zambada was set up under the guise of a meeting with Joaquín Guzmán López, a leader of the cartel faction known as Los Chapitos.
The operation leading to Zambada’s capture reportedly involved the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. However, the precise role of these US agencies in orchestrating the flight or the alleged kidnapping remains unclear. Mexican authorities were not involved in the capture.
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Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Mexico’s security secretary, commented, “You ask if it was a delivery, if it was capture. That is part of the investigation and part of the information that we would be expecting from the government of the United States.”
Zambada, a prominent figure in the Mexican drug trade, played a key role in transforming the Sinaloa cartel into a multibillion-dollar empire. The US had offered a $15 million reward for his capture, with officials praising his detention as a major success. President Biden stated that the arrest would help in saving American lives.
Despite this, the circumstances surrounding Zambada’s arrest are mired in rumors and conflicting reports. One account suggests he was lured to inspect clandestine airstrips, while another claims he surrendered secretly to be reunited with his son, Vicente Zambada Niebla, who testified against El Chapo and is believed to be in witness protection.
Guzmán López’s brother, Ovidio Guzmán López, was extradited from Mexico last year and pleaded not guilty to charges of being a co-leader of Los Chapitos. He is currently held in Chicago awaiting trial. Their father, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is serving a life sentence in a US federal prison.
Speculation arose from Federal Bureau of Prisons records listing Ovidio Guzmán López as “released” just before the arrests. However, a Justice Department spokesperson clarified: “Ovidio Guzmán López is still in US custody.” Court records show Ovidio is scheduled for a court appearance on September 30. An anonymous source cited by the LA Times indicated he had been moved to protective custody rather than released.
The Guzmán and Zambada families have a complex history. Zambada’s son, Vicente Zambada Niebla, known as “El Vicentillo,” referred to El Chapo as his “compadre” during his 2019 trial testimony and spoke about their close relationship and how they managed cartel operations together.
Perez also represents Vicente Zambada Niebla, as well as his father, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. Two other sons of Zambada, along with his brother, Jesús “El Rey” Zambada, have also faced justice in the US. Jesús Zambada testified against El Chapo, detailing his involvement in cartel activities.
“They were partners,” Jesús said of the cartel leaders, describing their collaboration in various operations, including aiding El Chapo’s escape from a high-security prison in 2001.
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