Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada García

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US prosecutes Sinaloa cartel's founders

As of July 2026: Sentenced to life in prison without parole

For nearly 50 years, Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada ran drugs and dodged arrest. On July 20, a federal judge in Brooklyn sentenced the 76-year-old Sinaloa cartel co-founder to life in prison and ordered him to forfeit $15 billion.

Updated Jul 21

Notable Quotes

'I recognize the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico.' — at his guilty plea

from US prosecutes Sinaloa cartel's founders · Updated Jul 21

'No one wins in a war like this.' — at his sentencing on July 20, 2026, where he also apologized 'to everyone who has suffered or been affected by my actions'

from US prosecutes Sinaloa cartel's founders · Updated Jul 21