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Sinaloa Cartel Leader 'El Mayo' Pleads Not Guilty in Brooklyn on 17-Count Indictment

Sep 13, 2024, 02:40 PM

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, the longtime leader and co-founder of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel, was arraigned in Brooklyn, New York on Friday. He faces a 17-count indictment accusing him of narcotics trafficking, murder conspiracy, money laundering, and weapons offenses, including fentanyl distribution. Zambada, who appeared physically debilitated, pleaded not guilty to all charges during his initial court appearance in the Eastern District of New York, the same courthouse where fellow Sinaloa cartel co-founder Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman was convicted five years earlier. The court hearing will determine whether Zambada, in his 70s, will be detained until his trial, with a subsequent hearing scheduled for October 31. The judge accepted the prosecutors' request for Zambada to remain in detention, citing his status as a highly dangerous narcotics trafficker. Notably, no journalists were allowed in the main courtroom due to the high number of prosecutors present.