Ismael “el Mayo” Zambada sentenced to life in US for drug trafficking

Mexican drug kingpin Ismael “el Mayo” Zambada, a historic figure in organized crime, received a life sentence in the United States on Monday. The 76-year-old co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel pleaded guilty to large-scale trafficking of fentanyl and cocaine.

Federal Judge Brian Cogan of the Eastern District of New York imposed the sentence and ordered Zambada to forfeit $15 billion, fully accepting the prosecution's request. Appearing in court in Brooklyn with evident physical deterioration and mobility issues, Zambada, clad in prison attire, required simultaneous translation during the hearing.

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Nobody wins in this kind of war. I cannot change what I did, but I can assume responsibility.

Before the sentencing, Zambada read a statement in Spanish expressing regret for his actions. "Nobody wins in this kind of war. I cannot change what I did, but I can assume responsibility," he told the court. He apologized to victims and their families, appealing for an end to the violence plaguing Mexico and advising new generations to avoid repeating his mistakes.

Zambada's defense team had previously communicated with Judge Cogan, acknowledging the inevitable sentence due to his age but requesting placement in a medical prison facility. They sought to prevent his transfer to the ADX Florence supermax prison in Colorado, where former associate Joaquín “el Chapo” Guzmán is incarcerated. The prosecution opposed leniency, citing Zambada's continued external influence and contacts. While Judge Cogan did not specify a prison, he asked authorities to consider Zambada's physical condition in their decision.

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to stop the violence that plagues Mexico and urged new generations not to follow his steps to 'avoid making the same mistakes'.