Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada was sentenced on July 20, 2026, to life in prison by a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, and must pay a 15 billion dollar forfeiture.
Judge Brian Cogan issued the sentence following Zambada’s guilty plea to drug trafficking and organized crime charges. The US Department of Justice attributed the amount to profits obtained over nearly four decades leading the Sinaloa Cartel.
Zambada, age 76, was captured in July 2024. His lawyer Frank Perez conveyed the capo’s wish to be extradited to Mexico to die in his country and plead guilty there.
Mexico maintains pending extradition requests dating to the Joe Biden administration. Prosecutor Ernestina Godoy noted 32 ongoing investigations in Mexico against Zambada, though the United States rejected the requests due to the New York proceedings.
The 15 billion dollar amount exceeds the fine imposed on Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán in 2019. Zambada acknowledged having 16 children and the court order covers his assets and heirs.
