Joaquín Guzmán and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada were taken into U.S. custody last week after their plane touched down in Texas.

Joaquín Guzmán and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada were taken into U.S. custody last week after their plane touched down in Texas.

The son of infamous cartel kingpin “El Chapo,” Joaquín Guzmán Lopez, was arrested on U.S. soil last week—though he arrived with a present for American authorities that exceeded even their wildest expectations.

Guzmán Lopez reportedly tricked his dad’s former partner, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the head of the Sinaloa cartel, into boarding a plane in Mexico on Thursday that ultimately took them both to U.S. soil—where federal authorities took them both into custody.

The cartel scion reportedly masterminded the plan with U.S. authorities, an official familiar with the operation told CNN. That official claimed that Zambada, 76, was lured onto the plane with the promise he and Guzmán, 38, were headed to check out Mexican real estate.

It remains unclear why Guzmán Lopez betrayed Zambada, though Reuters reports that it was likely to obtain a better plea deal for himself and his brother, Ovidio, who was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the U.S. last year.

  • teft
    9•1 month ago

    Probably zero. They’re headed to ADX Florence and won’t see daylight except for one hour a day let alone another inmate.

    Edit: From wikipedia:

    These inmates are kept in administrative segregation; they are kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. During their hour outside the cell, which can occur at any time of day or night, they are kept under restraint (handcuffed, shackled, or both). The hour outside of the cell is for exercise and a phone call if they have earned the privilege. Their diet is restricted to ensure that the food cannot be used to harm themselves or to create unhygienic conditions in their cell.

    • Track_ShovelEnglish
      4•1 month ago

      Sounds delightful. I think I stayed in an oilfield camp like this once