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[CRIME] · United States, Mexico · 100 sources

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada sentenced to life in US court

A U.S. federal jury in Brooklyn sentenced 76‑year‑old Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, co‑founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Judge Brian Cogan delivered the verdict on 20 July 2026 after Zambada’s guilty plea in August 2025 to racketeering, drug‑trafficking and continuing criminal enterprise charges. The court ordered the forfeiture of $15 billion in assets tied to the cartel’s operations. Under a plea agreement the Justice Department waived any request for the death penalty. Zambada’s defense asked that he be placed in a medical‑care prison due to his age and health issues, but the judge left the placement decision to the Bureau of Prisons. The sentencing follows Zambada’s 2024 capture in the United States after an alleged betrayal by a son of “El Chapo” Guzmán. Mexican officials have questioned the legality of the operation, heightening U.S.–Mexico tensions. Federal prosecutors emphasized that the case sends a message to other drug traffickers and corrupt officials, noting that the Sinaloa Cartel remains active despite the conviction.

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Hoy dictan sentencia a El Mayo [massinformacion.com.mx]
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- Juárez Noticias [juareznoticias.com]
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