One of Mexico’s most powerful crime lords faces a minimum sentence of life imprisonment

Ismael Zambada was co-founder of Sinaloa cartel led by Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, now imprisoned in US

Ismael Zambada García will spend life in prison. He had been charged with running a criminal network that sold cocaine, heroin and other illegal drugs.

Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada was arrested in July 2024, and is due to be sentenced in the coming months.

Ismael Zambada, 77, said he was sorry for flooding the US with cocaine and heroin. He is set to be sentenced on January 13 to life in prison.

Charges relate to his decades-long involvement in leading the Sinaloa cartel and its role in funnelling drugs to the US.

One of Mexico’s most powerful crime lords faces a minimum sentence of life imprisonment