Overview

• He entered the plea in Brooklyn before Judge Brian M. Cogan to two organized‑crime counts under the federal RICO framework.
• In court, Zambada admitted leading the Cártel de Sinaloa for decades, moving massive quantities of drugs, and paying bribes to Mexican police, military officers and politicians.
• The case consolidates filings from multiple U.S. districts, with remaining counts to be addressed at the January sentencing hearing.
• Prosecutors cited multibillion‑dollar asset valuations tied to his operations, signaling substantial forfeiture exposure.
• His attorney said he will not provide additional cooperation beyond his allocution, while the circumstances of his 2024 transfer to U.S. custody remain contested.