Famous Mexican Drug Lord ‘El Mayo’ Zambada Arrested in Texas
- Posted on July 27, 2024
- News
- By Arijit Dutta
- 225 Views
Infamous drug lord 'El Mayo' Zambada arrested in Texas after 35 years, ending an era in Mexico's drug war. US authorities lured him in a sting operation, emphasizing the fight against fentanyl. Concerns arise about potential cartel power struggles.
The Jesus of the Mexican drug war, Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, has been arrested in El Paso, Texas after 35 years on the run. Guzman was arrested on Thursday in a dramatic police raid that was executed by the US authorities in cooperation with the son of his former ally, Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman.
Zambada who assisted in forming the Sinaloa Cartel in 1989 has already entered a plea of not guilty in federal court to several counts. His arrest can be considered as the end of an era for the original generation of Mexican drug cartel leaders.
The sting that was conducted to arrest Zambada was in an entrapment whereby he was invited to the US with the intention of assessing some sites that were believed to be under consideration for construction of clandestine airstrips. Other arrests included Joaquin Guzman Lopez, who is one of El Chapo’s sons.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the importance of the arrest in relation to fentanyl, noting it is “the deadliest threat our country has ever faced. ” The timing of the operation is considered to be very important as fentanyl has become the leading killer in the US, particularly among young people.
The apprehension of ‘El Mayo’ is a decisive win for the US law enforcement agencies, but scholars have suggested that the move may spark internal Sinaloa Cartel conflict and violence in Mexico. Police forces have also been dispatched to the state of Sinaloa due to the likelihood of violence breaking out.
Also Read: Mexican drug lord ‘El Mayo’ Zambada nabbed in Texas
The arrest of Zambada brings into question the future of the Sinaloa Cartel and also the overall picture of the drug war in Mexico. Therefore, as the story progresses, the world waits to see how this event is going to alter the war against drug trafficking and the opioid scourge.
