On Thursday, U.S. federal agents made significant arrests, including Joaquin Guzmán López, the son of the notorious cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. This operation marked a major triumph for U.S. law enforcement, targeting two high-ranking members of the Sinaloa cartel, a dominant force in global drug trafficking.
The captured individuals are accused of facilitating the massive import of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States. The arrest of Guzmán López and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, was strategized through exploiting internal discord within the cartel and deceiving Zambada onto a plane destined for El Paso, Texas.
Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the significance of these arrests, noting that “El Mayo” and Guzmán López are now part of a growing list of cartel figures facing justice in the U.S.
Other key figures previously detained include José Antonio Yépez, known as “El Marro,” who was captured in August 2020 and later sentenced for organized crime and related offenses. Rafael Caro Quintero, captured in July 2022, remains one of the FBI’s most wanted, known for his foundational role in the Guadalajara cartel.
Additionally, Ovidio Guzmán, another son of “El Chapo,” was extradited from Mexico to the U.S. in September 2023, facing serious drug trafficking charges. He was first captured in 2019 but released to avoid further violence, only to be apprehended again in 2023.
Néstor Isidro Pérez, also known as “El Nini,” was arrested in November 2023. He is accused of leading violent operations for a Sinaloa cartel faction and faces multiple charges, including involvement in fentanyl trafficking and organized crime-related murders.
The recent arrest of Zambada and Guzmán López in July 2024 brought these high-profile cartel leaders into U.S. custody, where they face numerous charges related to leading the cartel’s criminal enterprises, especially concerning deadly fentanyl operations. Their court proceedings began with not guilty pleas to the charges, continuing the U.S. legal battle against international drug trafficking.
