US Arrests "El Mayo" Zambada, 'World's Biggest Drug Lord' (X image@niporwifi)

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel – a large international organized crime syndicate – and one of the world’s biggest drug lords, has been arrested by US federal agents in El Paso, Texas. Zambada founded the criminal organisation with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is currently jailed in the US. Zambada was arrested with Guzman’s son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez.

The 76-years-old Zambada was charged by US prosecutors with a conspiracy to make and distribute fentanyl, a drug more powerful than heroin that has been blamed for the US opioid crisis. US Prosecutors claim that Sinaloa Cartel is the biggest supplier of drugs to the US.

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In a written statement, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said the two men lead “one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world.” He said El Mayo and Guzman Lopez join a growing list of Sinaloa cartel leaders and associates who the Justice Department is holding accountable in the United States.

Sinaloa Cartel is a large international organized crime syndicate based in Mexico’s Sinaloa. It specializes in illegal drug trafficking and money laundering.

Garland, the top law enforcement officer in the US said, “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.” The country’s authorities previously noted that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans aged between 18 to 45.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been offering a reward of up to $15m (£12m) for Zambada’s capture. During “El Chapo” Guzman’s trial, his lawyers accused Zambada of bribing the “entire” Mexican government in exchange for living openly without fear of prosecution.

“In truth he controlled nothing. Mayo Zambada did,” Guzman’s lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, told jurors.

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As per the US state department, Zambada is also the owner of several legitimate businesses in Mexico, including “a large milk company, a bus line, and a hotel,” as well as real estate assets.

Apart from fentanyl charges, Zambada is also facing charges ranging from drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, money laundering, and organised crime. His nephew – Eliseo Imperial Castro aka “Cheyo Antrax” – was killed in an ambush in Mexico in May this year. He was also a wanted individual by the US authorities.

Zambada’s arrest came as shock for Mexico as he is arguably the biggest drug lord in the world and has been evading authorities for decades.

Details of the arrest is not made clear till now. It appears that Zambada flew into US. Citing officials from US and Mexico, Wall Street Journal reported that Zambada was tricked into boarding the plane by a high-ranking Sinaloa member following a months-long operation by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.

Zambada believed he was going to inspect clandestine airfields in Mexico.