2 Top Leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, Including ‘El Mayo,’ in U.S. Custody

The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the most powerful and notorious drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, with a long history of violence and corruption. The cartel has been led by a number of high-profile figures over the years, including two of its top leaders, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero.

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada is one of the most influential and elusive figures in the world of Mexican drug trafficking. He has been involved in the drug trade for decades and is believed to be one of the top leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel. Zambada is known for his strategic mind and ability to evade capture by law enforcement. He has managed to stay under the radar for many years, despite being one of the most wanted men in Mexico.

Zambada was born in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, and rose through the ranks of the cartel to become one of its top leaders. He is believed to be responsible for overseeing the cartel’s operations, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and violence. Zambada has been indicted in the United States on multiple charges, including drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder.

In February 2021, Zambada was reportedly taken into custody by U.S. authorities. His arrest was seen as a major blow to the Sinaloa Cartel and a significant victory for law enforcement. Zambada’s capture was the result of a joint operation between Mexican and U.S. authorities, who had been tracking him for months. His arrest is expected to have a major impact on the cartel’s operations and could lead to further arrests and seizures.

Another top leader of the Sinaloa Cartel is Rafael Caro Quintero. Quintero is a veteran drug trafficker who has been involved in the cartel’s operations for many years. He is known for his ruthless tactics and violent behavior, and is believed to be responsible for numerous murders and acts of violence in Mexico.

Quintero was previously arrested in 1985 for the murder of a DEA agent, but was released from prison in 2013 on a technicality. Since his release, Quintero has continued to be involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities. He is considered to be one of the most dangerous and influential figures in the cartel.

In recent years, Quintero has been linked to a number of high-profile crimes, including the disappearance of 43 students in the state of Guerrero in 2014. He is believed to have ordered the students’ abduction in retaliation for a drug debt owed by a rival cartel. Quintero’s involvement in the case has brought renewed attention to his activities and the violence perpetrated by the Sinaloa Cartel.

Despite their capture and imprisonment, the Sinaloa Cartel continues to operate and expand its criminal activities. The cartel remains a powerful and dangerous organization, with a network of operatives and associates around the world. The arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero is a significant victory for law enforcement, but the fight against the cartel is far from over. Authorities will need to continue to target the organization’s leadership and dismantle its operations in order to stem the flow of drugs and violence in Mexico and beyond.