US Judge Brian Cogan handed down a life sentence against Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel. The sentence includes the confiscation of 15 billion dollars for drug trafficking crimes. The ruling joins a long list of Mexican drug trafficking leaders sentenced to life in prison in the United States.
Historical convictions
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, extradited in 2017, is serving a life sentence plus 30 years in the ADX Florence maximum security prison. Juan García Ábrego, former leader of the Gulf Cartel, received 11 life sentences. Alfredo Beltrán Leyva “El Mochomo” has been serving a life sentence since 2017. Gerardo González Valencia, leader of Los Cuinis, was sentenced in 2023.
Rubén Oseguera González “El Menchito”, son of the late leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, also received a life sentence plus 30 years for drug trafficking and weapons possession.
US courts are keeping proceedings open against other extradited Mexican bosses: Rafael Caro Quintero, the brothers Miguel Ángel and Omar Treviño Morales (Z-40 and Z-42), Servando Gómez Martínez “La Tuta” and Ovidio Guzmán López.
The sentence against Zambada reinforces bilateral cooperation in the fight against organized crime, although allegations of impunity within Mexico persist.




