The son of jailed Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera and a cartel co-founder were arrested in El Paso, Texas, for their involvement in the Sinaloa Cartel’s fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks. Joaquín Guzmán López and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada García face multiple charges, with El Chapo already serving a life sentence in the U.S. The Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are key players in the synthetic drug crisis, particularly with fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the DEA. The arrest of Zambada García strikes at the heart of the cartel that is responsible for a majority of drug-related deaths in the U.S. The four sons of El Chapo, known as the “Chapitos,” have taken over their father’s drug trafficking networks and cartel faction. The DEA report highlights the Chapitos’ focus on making fentanyl a significant part of the cartel’s operations. Zambada García, a long-time partner of El Chapo, has recently been involved in a power struggle with the Chapitos. The Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels continue to produce and traffic fentanyl into the U.S., despite public statements from the Chapitos banning its distribution. The DEA noted that fentanyl availability at the border has not decreased, suggesting that the ban may be a public relations move. With over 100,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. last year, the arrest of key cartel figures like Zambada García is a significant step in holding those responsible for the crisis accountable.
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El Chapo’s Son and Sinaloa Cartel Co-Founder ‘El Mayo’ Captured in Texas
