Sinaloa Cartel Leader 'El Mayo' Zambada Faces U.S. Court

Ismael Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges in a New York federal court.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, 76, appeared in Brooklyn federal court before Judge Brian Cogan, known for sentencing Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán and Genaro García Luna.
Zambada, who was arrested in July, faces 17 charges including drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering, but has pleaded not guilty.
His arrest has intensified conflicts between rival factions within the Sinaloa Cartel, leading to violence in Culiacán, Mexico.
Prosecutors highlighted potential conflicts of interest with Zambada's lawyer, who previously represented Zambada's son, Vicente Zambada Niebla.
The next court appearance for Zambada is scheduled for January 15, 2025, as legal proceedings continue to unfold.