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At 76, Ismael Zambada Garcia, known as “El Mayo,” had never spent a night in prison despite a lifetime dedicated to large-scale drug trafficking. His impunity ended on Thursday night at a private airport in El Paso, Texas, a city bordering Mexico, when he was arrested aboard a small plane that had just landed. This marks the most significant capture since the extradition of his former partner Joaquín Chapo Guzmán in 2016; both men are founders of the Sinaloa cartel.
“El Mayo” (a variation of his middle name, Mario) was not alone during his arrest: he was traveling with Joaquín Guzmán López, 38, one of the “Chapitos,” sons of Chapo who took over his operations after he was sentenced to life in prison in the United States in 2019. According to various American media outlets, it was Chapo Jr. who set up the trafficker to facilitate the raid. The American authorities offered up to 15 million dollars (13.8 million euros) for information leading to his capture, but it seems unlikely that Chapo Jr., who is also wanted, will benefit from this reward. There is no justice.
450,000 dead in Mexico since 2006
The Sinaloa cartel is accused by Washington of being the main culprit in the fentanyl trafficking, an opioid that claims tens of thousands of American lives each year. In Mexico, cartel-related violence (primarily involving Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation) has resulted in 450,000 deaths and over 100,000 disappearances since 2006 when conservative President Felipe Calderón militarized the campaign against traffickers, a “war on drugs” that has only empowered criminal groups.
While Chapo and Mayo established, in close collaboration, the most powerful cartel in the Americas, their personalities were vastly different. Chapo enjoyed luxury and indulged in everything that his substantial profits could provide. His reckless behavior led to his capture three times between 2001 and 2015, the last of which occurred while he was negotiating the production of a film about himself, starring Sean Penn and actress Kate Del Castillo. Two Hollywood stars were followed by investigators who used their presence to uncover the godfather’s hideout. In contrast, Mayo Zambada preferred to maintain a low profile. The only known photograph of him was taken in 2010 during his sole interview published in the Mexican weekly Process.
Evading law enforcement across two countries for 40 years is not Zambada’s only achievement. He has also survived numerous assassination attempts by rivals. In February 2017, he escaped an assassination attempt orchestrated by Damaso Lopez Nunez, known as “Graduate”, who was extradited shortly after to the United States and sentenced to life imprisonment.
“El Mencho”, new enemy number 1
El Mayo’s brother, Jesus “Rey” Zambada, and his son, Vicente “Vicentillo” Zambada, testified during El Chapo’s trial while in U.S. custody. One of the arguments from the drug trafficker’s defense was that the real leader of the cartel was El Mayo, with El Chapo merely being a subordinate. However, the jury was not persuaded by this claim.
In his historic interview with Process, El Mayo claimed that his arrest or death would not alter the dynamics of drug trafficking between Mexico and the United States. Time has validated his assertion: the trade in illegal substances has not been significantly impacted by the violent deaths or arrests of figures such as Amado Carrillo “the Lord of the Skies,” Miguel Angel Félix Gallardo “the Boss of Bosses,” or Rafael Caro Quintero, who awaits trial in the United States and curiously lacks a nickname.
The new most wanted man in the Americas is now Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. Rumors about his death circulate frequently, but have never been substantiated. There is a bounty on his head of $10 million from the DEA, the United States’ anti-drug agency.
The Imprisonment of Ismael Zambada Garcia: A Pivotal Moment in the Drug Trade
He ruled over the Sinaloa cartel, which is accused of flooding the United States with fentanyl, a devastating opioid. His detention Thursday in Texas is the biggest blow to the drug trade since the extradition of his former accomplice, Chapo Guzman, in 2016.
At 76, Ismael Zambada Garcia, alias “El Mayo,” had never spent a night in prison despite a lifetime devoted to large-scale drug trafficking. His impunity ended Thursday night at a private airport in El Paso, Texas, a city on the border with Mexico, with his arrest aboard a small plane that had just landed. It is the most spectacular capture since the extradition in 2016 of his former accomplice Joaquín Chapo Guzmán, the two men being the founders of the Sinaloa cartel.
And “El Mayo” (a distortion of his middle name, Mario) was not alone: he was traveling with Joaquín Guzmán López, 38, one of the “Chapitos,” Chapo’s sons who took over his business after he was sentenced to life in prison in the United States in 2019. According to several American media outlets, it was Chapo junior who framed the trafficker in order to allow the raid. The American authorities promised up to 15 million dollars (13.8 million euros) in exchange for information leading to his arrest, but it is unlikely that Chapito, himself wanted, will benefit from it. There is no justice.
450,000 Dead in Mexico Since 2006
The Sinaloa cartel is accused by Washington of being the main culprit in trafficking fentanyl, an opioid that kills tens of thousands of Americans each year. In Mexico, violence linked to the cartels (especially those of Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation) has left 450,000 dead and more than 100,000 missing since 2006, when conservative President Felipe Calderón militarized the fight against traffickers, a “war on drugs” which has only strengthened criminal groups.
Distinct Paths: Chapo Guzmán vs. El Mayo
If Chapo and Mayo had set up, in good agreement, the most powerful cartel in the Americas, one was the opposite of the other. Chapo loved luxury, and took advantage of everything that his immense profits could offer him. His imprudent actions led to his arrest three times between 2001 and 2015. The last time, when he was negotiating the shooting of a film in his glory, with Sean Penn and the actress Kate Del Castillo. Two Hollywood stars that investigators had followed to discover the godfather’s hideout. For his part, Mayo Zambada cultivated discretion. The only known photo of him appeared in 2010 in the Mexican weekly Process on the occasion of his only interview.
Evading police in two countries for 40 years is not Zambada’s only feat. He has also survived dozens of assassination attempts by his rivals. In February 2017, he escaped an assassination attempt ordered by Damaso Lopez Nunez, known as “Graduate” (the graduate), extradited shortly afterwards to the United States where he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
“El Mencho”: The New Enemy Number 1
El Mayo’s brother, Jesus “Rey” Zambada, and his son, Vicente “Vicentillo” Zambada, testified at El Chapo’s trial while in U.S. custody. One of the arguments of the drug trafficker’s defense was that the real leader of the cartel was El Mayo, with El Chapo merely being a sidekick. The jury was not convinced by this argument.
In his historic interview with Process, El Mayo had estimated that his arrest or death would not change anything in the drug trafficking between Mexico and the United States. Time has proven him right: the trade in illegal substances has not suffered from the violent deaths or arrests of Amado Carrillo “the Lord of the Skies”, Miguel Angel Félix Gallardo “the Boss of Bosses” or Rafael Caro Quintero, awaiting trial in the United States and who, strangely, does not have a nickname.
The new most wanted man in the Americas is now Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” the capo of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. Rumors of his death circulate regularly, but have never been confirmed. There is a price on his head of $10 million from the DEA, the United States’ anti-drug police.
Understanding the Drug Trade’s Impact on Society
Statistics on Drug Trafficking and Fentanyl Crisis
| Year | Number of Fentanyl Overdose Deaths in the U.S. |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 32,000 |
| 2019 | 36,000 |
| 2020 | 56,000 |
| 2021 | 70,000 |
| 2022 | 75,000 |
Practical Insights for Combatting Drug Trafficking
- Community Awareness: Promoting education about the dangers of fentanyl and other opioids can help reduce demand.
- Law Enforcement Training: Continuous training on the tactics and strategies that cartels employ can equip law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively.
- International Cooperation: Countries must work collaboratively to share intelligence and coordinate efforts against drug trafficking organizations.
Case Studies: Successful Drug Interdiction Efforts
Operation Crystal Shield
In 2020, U.S. law enforcement launched Operation Crystal Shield, targeting synthetic opioids with a focus on disrupting the supply chain used by cartels. This effort led to significant seizures of fentanyl, contributing to reductions in availability on the streets.
Collaboration Between Agencies
Collaboration between the DEA and Mexican authorities has led to several high-profile arrests, dismantling significant drug trafficking operations and providing valuable intelligence about cartel operations.
Firsthand Experience
Several law enforcement officials have recounted the dangers they face when working to combat drug trafficking. The unpredictability of cartel retaliation and the evolving tactics in drug transportation pose significant challenges. These first-hand accounts highlight the importance of strategic planning and community involvement in combating drug trafficking.
