Latest news with #Ismael"ElMayo"Zambada
The Star
27-05-2025
- The Star
US says it will not seek death penalty for El Chapo's son Joaquin Guzman Lopez
FILE PHOTO: A newspaper seller arranges newspapers reporting the El Paso, Texas, U.S., arrest of Mexican drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, "El Chapo" Guzman's son, in Mexico City, Mexico July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Gustavo Graf/File Photo
Int'l Business Times
21-04-2025
- Int'l Business Times
Sinaloa Cartel Co-Founder 'El Mayo' Could Seek Deal With U.S. Authorities To Avoid Death Penalty
Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada could seek a deal with U.S. federal authorities to avoid the death penalty as he readies to appear before a court. Zambada, captured last July, is set to take part in the hearing on Tuesday in Brooklyn. He faces numerous charges, including drug trafficking and murder conspiracy. The drug lord had pleaded not guilty to charges against him in Texas and New York, but his strategy has seemingly changed since the death penalty became a concrete possibility. "Mr. Zambada doesn't want to go to trial and is willing to accept responsibility for a charge that doesn't carry out the death penalty," his lawyer, Frank Perez, told Reuters back in February. A spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorney declined to comment on the statements from Zambada's lawyer, but prosecutors had reportedly initiated negotiations to secure his cooperation in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. Concretely, Zambada faces 17 charges in New York, including drug-trafficking, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that Zambada played a central role in trafficking fentanyl into the United States, contributing to a surge in overdose deaths. Although New York abolished the death penalty in 2004, federal charges allow for its application in cases involving mass murders or crimes comparable to terrorism. Zambada, 75, is the only Mexican defendant explicitly charged with fentanyl trafficking. The drug lord is also requesting to be repatriated to Mexico, claiming he was unlawfully transferred to the United States without a formal extradition process. The Claudia Sheinbaum administration also revealed in February that it has requested Zambada's extradition up to four times since he was captured. Zambada's defense contends that his abduction and subsequent transfer to the U.S. violated Mexico's sovereignty. He claimed he was taken from Culiacán, Sinaloa, and transported to Texas in a private aircraft with the involvement of Joaquin Guzmán López, son of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, as the faction of the cartel loyal to him continues to clash with those answering to Zambada. Originally published on Latin Times
Reuters
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Mexico says U.S. has not responded to request to return accused drug lord
MEXICO CITY, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Mexican Attorney General Alejandro Gertz said on Tuesday that the U.S. government has not yet responded to Mexico's request to extradite accused drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada back to Mexico, after he was flown to the U.S. and arrested there last year.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged Mexican kingpin 'El Mayo' wants plea deal, says lawyer
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Accused Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada is willing to take a plea deal if it means prosecutors do not seek the death penalty, his lawyer told Reuters on Monday. This would mean a change in Zambada's position after the 76 year-old pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges back in September in a New York courthouse. "Mr. Zambada does not want to go to trial and is willing to accept responsibility for a charge that does not include the death penalty," lawyer Frank Perez said. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "El Mayo" faces 17 felony counts, which include drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons charges, and has being jailed pending trial.
Reuters
24-02-2025
- Reuters
Alleged Mexican kingpin 'El Mayo' wants plea deal, says lawyer
MEXICO CITY, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Accused Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada is willing to take a plea deal if it means prosecutors do not seek the death penalty, his lawyer told Reuters on Monday. This would mean a change in Zambada's position after the 76 year-old pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges back in September in a New York courthouse. "Mr. Zambada does not want to go to trial and is willing to accept responsibility for a charge that does not include the death penalty," lawyer Frank Perez said. "El Mayo" faces 17 felony counts, which include drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons charges, and has being jailed pending trial.
