Overview

• In Brooklyn federal court, Zambada admitted two RICO-based counts—money laundering and weapons—after prosecutors confirmed they would not seek the death penalty.
• He told Judge Brian Cogan he paid bribes to police, military and politicians in Mexico and acknowledged running the organization from 1989 to 2024.
• U.S. authorities presented a $15 billion valuation of assets tied to him, with forfeiture issues to be addressed at sentencing on January 13, 2026.
• The Justice Department said related prosecutions across multiple districts were centralized in the Eastern District of New York and will be resolved at sentencing.
• Mexico’s president said no new evidence has been received and Zambada’s transfer to U.S. custody remains disputed, while his lawyer indicated he will not cooperate beyond his courtroom admissions.