Overview

• Zambada entered his plea in Brooklyn to RICO conspiracy and leading a continuing criminal enterprise, a combination that carries a mandatory life sentence with sentencing set for January 13, 2026.
• He acknowledged moving roughly 1.5 million kilograms of cocaine, ordering murders, and paying police, military commanders and politicians in Mexico to keep the Sinaloa Cartel operating freely.
• Prosecutors said they will not seek the death penalty, and the U.S. is pursuing a forfeiture of about $15 billion tied to the cartel’s proceeds.
• After the hearing, U.S. officials said the Sinaloa Cartel had been “decapitated” and vowed to press investigations, asserting Zambada will spend the rest of his life in prison.
• His attorney said he will not cooperate or name officials, while relaying Zambada’s appeal for calm in Sinaloa; Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said authorities have received no detailed information and stressed that specific complaints are required.