The son of jailed Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera, Joaquín Guzmán López, and Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada García were arrested in El Paso, Texas, by U.S. authorities. They are facing multiple charges related to the Sinaloa Cartel’s fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks. The Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are at the center of the synthetic drug crisis in the U.S., particularly involving fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“El Chapo” was previously arrested and extradited to the U.S., where he is serving a life sentence. His sons, including Ovidio Guzmán López, have also been arrested and face drug and money laundering charges. The four sons, known as the “Chapitos,” have taken over their father’s drug trafficking networks. Zambada García, who co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and has been in an internal battle with the “Chapitos.”
The Sinaloa Cartel, led by the “Chapitos,” has been producing and distributing fentanyl in the U.S. for several years. Despite claims of banning fentanyl trafficking, the DEA found that seizures at the border remained consistent, suggesting that the supply has not decreased. The cartels are responsible for the majority of drug overdose deaths in the U.S., with fentanyl and methamphetamine being the deadliest substances.
Zambada García’s arrest is seen as a significant blow to the cartel’s operations, as he controls one of the four factions within the organization. The goal of U.S. authorities is to hold all cartel leaders and members accountable for their role in fueling the drug crisis in American communities.
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