EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The attorney for alleged Sinaloa drug cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada said his client did not enter the country voluntarily and was kidnapped by a rival, according to a statement from his attorney which was sent to KTSM on Sunday morning, July 28.
Drug kingpin ‘El Mayo’ arrested in El Paso
Zambada, along with the reported son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, were arrested by U.S. authorities Thursday, July 25 at the Dona Ana County International Sunport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, which is considered a bedroom community of El Paso.
The second man arrested was identified as Joaquin Guzman Lopez, who allegedly led the Chapitos faction of the cartel that is reportedly spearheaded by “El Chapo’s” sons.
Frank Perez, the attorney for “El Mayo” Zambada, said that his client was kidnapped by Guzman Lopez and brought to the United States against his will. “El Mayo” Zambada did not negotiate any terms with the U.S. government ahead of his arrest, Perez added.
Video shows arrests of 2 suspected Mexican cartel drug lords
Here is Perez’s entire statement which was sent to KTSM on Sunday:
“My client neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the U.S. government. Joaquin Guzman Lopez forcibly kidnapped my client. He was ambushed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed by six men in military uniforms and Joaquin. His legs were tied, and a black bag was placed over his head. He was then thrown into the back of a pickup truck and taken to a landing strip. There, he was forced onto a plane, his legs tied to the seat by Joaquin, and brought to the U.S. against his will. The only people on the plane were the pilot, Joaquin and my client.”
According to the U.S. Justice Department, both men are “facing multiple charges in the United States for leading the Cartel’s criminal operations, including its deadly fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks.”
Zambada was scheduled for an initial court appearance at the El Paso Magistrate Courtroom Friday morning, July 26, according to court records.
Zambada’s attorney filed a waiver of appearance and entered a “not guilty” plea on behalf of his client, according to court documents obtained by KTSM and Border Report.
Guzman Lopez arrived in the custody of the FBI, HSI and DEA agents in the Chicago area Friday morning, according to an NBC affiliate.
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