Mexican Drug Lord Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Charges

NEW YORK — Ismael Zambada, known as “El Mayo,” a co-founder of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, pleaded guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges in a Brooklyn court. The 77-year-old admitted to his role in one of the world’s largest and most powerful drug trafficking organizations, admitting guilt to charges including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise for 35 years.

During the court hearing, Zambada acknowledged the catastrophic impact of illegal drugs, stating, “I recognize the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico. I apologize for all of it, and I take responsibility for my actions.” His remarks were delivered through a Spanish-language interpreter.

The plea agreement mandates that Zambada forfeit $15 billion. He is set to be sentenced to life in prison on January 13, 2026. Judge Brian Cogan has stated he will impose the life sentence due to the severity of the crimes, which include trafficking vast quantities of cocaine and heroin into the United States.

Zambada’s drug trafficking career began in 1969, when he planted marijuana at the age of 19. He later expanded his operations to include heroin and cocaine, forming the notorious Sinaloa Cartel alongside Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Prosecutors stated that since the 1980s, Zambada was responsible for overseeing the shipment of at least 1.5 million kilos of cocaine into the U.S.

Federal authorities have described Zambada as a key figure in a violent and militarized cartel, known for utilizing hitmen to enforce control and eliminate rivals. Zambada admitted to directing killings to further the interests of his organization, acknowledging that innocent lives were lost in the ongoing drug wars.

Zambada was arrested in July 2024 after being lured into the U.S. under false pretenses by Guzmán’s sons, known as “Los Chapitos.” His arrest has been linked to escalating conflicts within the Sinaloa Cartel following Guzmán’s life sentence in 2019.

In a poignant appeal, Zambada called for peace, urging his followers to “remain calm” and “avoid violence” amidst tensions in Sinaloa. His attorney, Frank Perez, emphasized that Zambada is committed to a peaceful resolution for his community.

The plea deal follows weeks of negotiations with U.S. prosecutors, who chose not to seek the death penalty against Zambada, marking a significant turn in his case. As he awaits sentencing, Zambada’s acknowledgment of his crimes has drawn international attention, spotlighting the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Mexico and the U.S.