Reputed Mexican drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was forcibly taken into custody by Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of the notorious Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera, claims Zambada’s lawyer, Frank Perez.
Perez claims that Guzman Lopez and several men in military uniforms ambushed and kidnapped Zambada, leading to his arrest upon arrival in the US, according to the Los Angeles Times report.The incident occurred at a small airport near El Paso, where the events were described as a deceptive plot to capture Zambada, who pleaded not guilty to numerous charges including drug trafficking and money laundering.
Denying the allegations that his client voluntarily boarded the plane or negotiated terms with the US government, the lawyer claimed that Guzman Lopez had forcibly restrained Zambada. Perez said, “My client neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the US government. Joaquín Guzmán López forcibly kidnapped my client. He was ambushed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed by six men in military uniforms and Joaquín. His legs were tied, and a black bag was placed over his head. He was then thrown into the back of a pickup truck and taken to a landing strip. There, he was forced onto a plane, his legs tied to the seat by Joaquín, and brought to the US against his will.” The attorney also said that the only people on the plane were the pilot, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, and his client.
Guzman Lopez faces federal indictments for drug trafficking and his leadership role in the Sinaloa cartel, but court records don’t show that he has entered any plea.
According to The Times sources’ claims also, Zambada was deceived into boarding the plane bound for US territory. One law enforcement source working in Mexico called Zambada’s arrest an “Epic, once-in-a-lifetime caper” and remarked, “The old man got tricked.”
Perez explained that Zambada was set up when called to a meeting with Guzman Lopez, a leader of the cartel faction known as Los Chapitos.
The effort leading to Zambada’s capture reportedly involved the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. However, the extent of USagencies’ involvement in orchestrating the flight or the alleged kidnapping remains unclear. Mexican authorities were not involved in the capture.
“You ask if it was a delivery, if it was capture,” said Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Mexico’s security secretary. “That is part of the investigation and part of the information that we would be expecting from the government of the United States.”
Zambada, a well-known figure in the Mexican drug trade, built the Sinaloa cartel into a multibillion-dollar empire. The US had offered a $15-million reward for his capture, with officials hailing his detention as a significant success. President Biden commented that the arrest would aid in saving American lives.
However, the circumstances of Zambada’s arrest remain shrouded in rumor and conflicting reports. One version suggested he was lured to inspect clandestine airstrips, while another proposed he surrendered in secret to be reunited with his son, Vicente Zambada Niebla, who testified against El Chapo and is believed to be in witness protection.
Guzman Lopez’s brother, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, was extradited from Mexico last year and pleaded not guilty to charges of being a co-leader of Los Chapitos. He is currently jailed in Chicago awaiting trial. Their father, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, is serving a life sentence in US federal prison.
Speculation arose from Federal Bureau of Prisons records listing Ovidio Guzman Lopez as “released” just before the arrests. However, a Justice Department spokesperson clarified: “Ovidio Guzman Lopez is still in US custody.”
Court records show Ovidio is scheduled for a court appearance on September 30. An anonymous source quoted by LA Times indicated he’d been moved to protective custody rather than released.
The Guzman and Zambada families have intertwined histories. Zambada’s son, Zambada Niebla, known as “El Vicentillo,” often referred to El Chapo as his “compadre” during his 2019 trial testimony. Zambada Niebla also testified about the close relationship between the two leaders, especially how they managed cartel operations.
Perez also represented Zambada Niebla, just as he represents his father. Two more of Zambada’s sons, along with his brother, Jesus “El Rey” Zambada, have faced justice in the US. Jesus testified against El Chapo, recounting his involvement in cartel activities.
“They were partners,” Jesus said of the cartel leaders, detailing their cooperation in various operations, including helping El Chapo escape from a high-security prison in 2001.ce.
Perez claims that Guzman Lopez and several men in military uniforms ambushed and kidnapped Zambada, leading to his arrest upon arrival in the US, according to the Los Angeles Times report.The incident occurred at a small airport near El Paso, where the events were described as a deceptive plot to capture Zambada, who pleaded not guilty to numerous charges including drug trafficking and money laundering.
Denying the allegations that his client voluntarily boarded the plane or negotiated terms with the US government, the lawyer claimed that Guzman Lopez had forcibly restrained Zambada. Perez said, “My client neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the US government. Joaquín Guzmán López forcibly kidnapped my client. He was ambushed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed by six men in military uniforms and Joaquín. His legs were tied, and a black bag was placed over his head. He was then thrown into the back of a pickup truck and taken to a landing strip. There, he was forced onto a plane, his legs tied to the seat by Joaquín, and brought to the US against his will.” The attorney also said that the only people on the plane were the pilot, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, and his client.
Guzman Lopez faces federal indictments for drug trafficking and his leadership role in the Sinaloa cartel, but court records don’t show that he has entered any plea.
According to The Times sources’ claims also, Zambada was deceived into boarding the plane bound for US territory. One law enforcement source working in Mexico called Zambada’s arrest an “Epic, once-in-a-lifetime caper” and remarked, “The old man got tricked.”
Perez explained that Zambada was set up when called to a meeting with Guzman Lopez, a leader of the cartel faction known as Los Chapitos.
The effort leading to Zambada’s capture reportedly involved the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. However, the extent of USagencies’ involvement in orchestrating the flight or the alleged kidnapping remains unclear. Mexican authorities were not involved in the capture.
“You ask if it was a delivery, if it was capture,” said Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Mexico’s security secretary. “That is part of the investigation and part of the information that we would be expecting from the government of the United States.”
Zambada, a well-known figure in the Mexican drug trade, built the Sinaloa cartel into a multibillion-dollar empire. The US had offered a $15-million reward for his capture, with officials hailing his detention as a significant success. President Biden commented that the arrest would aid in saving American lives.
However, the circumstances of Zambada’s arrest remain shrouded in rumor and conflicting reports. One version suggested he was lured to inspect clandestine airstrips, while another proposed he surrendered in secret to be reunited with his son, Vicente Zambada Niebla, who testified against El Chapo and is believed to be in witness protection.
Guzman Lopez’s brother, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, was extradited from Mexico last year and pleaded not guilty to charges of being a co-leader of Los Chapitos. He is currently jailed in Chicago awaiting trial. Their father, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, is serving a life sentence in US federal prison.
Speculation arose from Federal Bureau of Prisons records listing Ovidio Guzman Lopez as “released” just before the arrests. However, a Justice Department spokesperson clarified: “Ovidio Guzman Lopez is still in US custody.”
Court records show Ovidio is scheduled for a court appearance on September 30. An anonymous source quoted by LA Times indicated he’d been moved to protective custody rather than released.
The Guzman and Zambada families have intertwined histories. Zambada’s son, Zambada Niebla, known as “El Vicentillo,” often referred to El Chapo as his “compadre” during his 2019 trial testimony. Zambada Niebla also testified about the close relationship between the two leaders, especially how they managed cartel operations.
Perez also represented Zambada Niebla, just as he represents his father. Two more of Zambada’s sons, along with his brother, Jesus “El Rey” Zambada, have faced justice in the US. Jesus testified against El Chapo, recounting his involvement in cartel activities.
“They were partners,” Jesus said of the cartel leaders, detailing their cooperation in various operations, including helping El Chapo escape from a high-security prison in 2001.ce.