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US arrests 2 leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, including son of ‘El Chapo’

  • The Sinaloa cartel is one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal groups

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Undated images of Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada Garcia. Photo: Mexican Attorney General press office via AFP

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by US authorities in Texas on Thursday, the US Justice Department said.

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A leader of the powerful Sinaloa cartel for decades alongside Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, Zambada was known for running the cartel’s smuggling operations while keeping a lower profile.

The US government had offered a reward of up to US$15 million for information leading to his capture.

Zambada and Guzman Lopez are facing multiple charges “for leading the cartel’s criminal operations, including its deadly fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez. Photo: US Department of State via AP
Joaquin Guzman Lopez. Photo: US Department of State via AP

“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, and the Justice Department will not rest until every single cartel leader, member, and associate responsible for poisoning our communities is held accountable,” Garland said in a statement.

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