The Conviction of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada in the US Drug Trafficking

• Ismael Zambada acknowledged his role in drug trafficking in the US
• The Sinaloa cartel earned hundreds of millions from narcotics
• Zambada received a lengthy sentence without the possibility of cooperating with the authorities

Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the former leader of the Sinaloa cartel, acknowledged his role in federal charges of drug trafficking in New York on August 25, 2025. He expressed regret for having helped supply narcotics to the US, including cocaine and heroin. In court, Zambada stated: "I recognize the immense harm that illegal drugs have caused to people in the US, Mexico, and other countries."

Zambada, along with Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, transformed the Sinaloa cartel into the largest drug cartel in the world. He acknowledged that the cartel earned hundreds of millions of dollars annually from drug trafficking. Moreover, he admitted that payments were made to police and military in Mexico for the uninterrupted operations of the cartel.

US prosecutors assert that under Zambada's leadership, the cartel received profits of up to 10 million dollars per week from narcotics. His assets, which are estimated to be 15 billion dollars, will be confiscated by the court. Zambada will be sentenced to a lengthy imprisonment on January 13, 2026.

It is important to note that his acknowledgment of guilt came two weeks after prosecutors announced the withdrawal of the death penalty request. Zambada's attorney insisted that his client does not plan to cooperate with the American authorities.

Tags: USA/Crime