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World20 Jul 2026

Notorious drug cartel leader Ismael Zambada sentenced to life in US prison

Known as "El Mayo", the co-founder the Sinaloa Cartel was also ordered to pay $15bn after he admitted to sending vast amounts of drugs to the US.

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Known as "El Mayo", the co-founder the Sinaloa Cartel was also ordered to pay $15bn after he admitted to sending vast amounts of drugs to the US. One of the most notorious figures in Mexico's drug cartels, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, will spend the rest of his life in prison, a US judge ruled has ruled, two years after Zambada was lured to the US in an elaborate sting operation. The 76-year-old, who founded the violent Sinaloa Cartel with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, was also ordered to pay $15bn (£11bn). In 2024, El Chapo's son led Zambada to believe they were travelling to northern Mexico to inspect clandestine airstrips, when their plane instead landed in Texas and he was arrested. Last year, Zambada reached a plea deal and admitted to drug smuggling and conspiracy charges in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. On Monday, US District Judge Brian Cogan sentenced Zambada during a hearing in Brooklyn federal court. His guilty plea carried a mandatory term of life in prison, The $15bn he was ordered to pay represents drug-trafficking profits from his role as the principal leader of a criminal enterprise, according to the justice department. El Chapo's son, Joaquin Guzmán Lopez, was also arrested in July 2024 and has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges.

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Useful phrases from this story

was also ordered to payCollocation

และถูกสั่งจ่ายเงิน.

From the storyKnown as "El Mayo", the co-founder the Sinaloa Cartel was also ordered to pay $15bn after he admitted to sending vast amounts of drugs to the US.

admitted to sending vast amountsCollocation

ได้รับการส่งเงินจํานวนมาก.

From the storyKnown as "El Mayo", the co-founder the Sinaloa Cartel was also ordered to pay $15bn after he admitted to sending vast amounts of drugs to the US.

One of theExpression

หนึ่งใน.

From the storyOne of the most notorious figures in Mexico's drug cartels, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, will spend the rest of his life in prison, a US judge ruled has ruled, two years after Zambada was lured to the US in an elaborate sting operation.

will spend the rest ofCollocation

จะใช้เวลาที่เหลือ.

From the storyOne of the most notorious figures in Mexico's drug cartels, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, will spend the rest of his life in prison, a US judge ruled has ruled, two years after Zambada was lured to the US in an elaborate sting operation.

ruled has ruledCollocation

กําหนดแล้ว กําหนดแล้ว.

From the storyOne of the most notorious figures in Mexico's drug cartels, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, will spend the rest of his life in prison, a US judge ruled has ruled, two years after Zambada was lured to the US in an elaborate sting operation.

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