El Mayo

Ismael Mario Zambada García, widely known as El Mayo, was born on January 1, 1948. He emerged as a prominent figure in the world of drug trafficking, becoming a key member of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, an international crime syndicate based in Sinaloa, Mexico. Before taking the reins of the entire cartel, he played a crucial role as the logistical coordinator for his faction, overseeing the complex operations involved in the trafficking of cocaine and heroin into major U.S. cities, including Chicago.

El Mayo's operations were marked by their sophistication, utilizing a variety of methods to transport illicit substances. These included aircraft, narcosubs, container ships, go-fast boats, fishing vessels, buses, rail cars, tractor trailers, and automobiles. His ability to manage such a vast network contributed significantly to the cartel's dominance in the drug trade.

Remarkably, El Mayo evaded law enforcement for decades, never facing arrest or incarceration until July 2024. His capture occurred in El Paso, Texas, where he was taken into U.S. custody on July 25, 2024. Following his arrest, he was arraigned in a federal court in Brooklyn on September 13, 2024.

On August 25, 2025, during a court hearing in Brooklyn, El Mayo pled guilty to two of the seventeen charges against him, which included racketeering conspiracy and running a continuing criminal enterprise. His plea marked a significant moment in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the United States.