Pilot Linked to "Los Chapitos" Detained, Sent to U.S. in Drug Lord Transfer Case

Mexican authorities have revealed further details regarding the involvement of pilot Mauro Alberto Núñez Ojeda, alias "El Jando," in the transfer of drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada to the United States. The Attorney General's Office (FGR), led by Ernestina Godoy, detailed "El Jando's" capture and his role as a trusted pilot for "Los Chapitos," a prominent faction within the Sinaloa Cartel.

The chronology of events indicates that "El Jando" was apprehended, subsequently handed over to U.S. authorities, and then confirmed to be implicated in the case involving "El Mayo" Zambada. The FGR's latest statement outlines how the pilot, identified by Mexican authorities, facilitated the flight of the Sinaloa Cartel co-founder from Culiacán, Sinaloa, to New Mexico, USA.

This development follows a report that prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for "El Mayo" Zambada, accusing him of paying millions in bribes across various levels of the Mexican government. The extradition of Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, son of former cartel leader Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, occurred on July 25, 2024.

According to an interview with former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, he attempted to communicate with then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador following the operation but received no response. Salazar offered to meet with the President and later proposed that Mexican officials inspect the aircraft used in the transfer, an offer that was eventually accepted, with both Mexican and U.S. authorities inspecting the plane. Salazar noted a lack of engagement from the Mexican government, stating, "But, still, from AMLO there was only silence. By Monday, it was clear that something was very wrong."