By Jack Queen and Luc Cohen
EL PASO, Texas (Multibagger) - Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the notorious alleged co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, is set to make an appearance in a U.S. court following his recent arrest on drug trafficking charges.
Zambada is scheduled for a status conference before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone in El Paso, Texas, federal court at 1 p.m. MDT (1900 GMT). These hearings typically involve legal matters like evidence disclosure and scheduling.
In a significant development for U.S. law enforcement, Zambada was apprehended on July 25 along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of imprisoned drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel with Zambada.
Guzman Lopez pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in Chicago federal court. El Chapo is currently serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison in Colorado.
The circumstances surrounding the arrests of Zambada and Guzman Lopez at the Dona Ana County International Jetport near El Paso are still unclear.
U.S. officials briefed on the operation stated that Guzman Lopez tricked Zambada into boarding a plane by claiming they were going to look at real estate in northern Mexico, only to fly north of the border where Guzman Lopez intended to surrender, but Zambada did not.
Zambada's lawyer, Frank Perez, disputed this account, alleging that Guzman Lopez and six men in military attire forcibly abducted his client in Sinaloa state and brought him to the U.S. against his will.
In the Texas case from 2012, Zambada is charged with racketeering conspiracy and murder in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Prosecutors claim that under Zambada and El Chapo's leadership, cartel members kidnapped individuals in Texas in 2009 and 2010, resulting in their deaths.
Zambada also faces charges in four other federal jurisdictions, including New York City's Brooklyn borough, where he is accused of conspiring to manufacture and distribute fentanyl.
Analysis: The arrest and upcoming court appearance of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a key figure in the Sinaloa Cartel, highlight the ongoing efforts of U.S. law enforcement to combat drug trafficking. The case underscores the risks and legal consequences associated with involvement in criminal organizations. For individuals, understanding the implications of such arrests can serve as a reminder of the importance of staying away from illegal activities and making informed financial decisions to protect their assets and well-being.