A US federal court in Brooklyn, New York, sentenced Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García to life in prison on Monday, July 20, 2026.
The 76-year-old co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel had signed a plea deal in August 2025 after the US Justice Department dropped the death penalty.
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Zambada García admitted to charges of racketeering conspiracy and continuing criminal enterprise involving massive shipments of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and marijuana.
United States District Judge Brian Cogan presided over the sentencing. Federal prosecutors also demanded an additional $15 billion financial penalty.
The conviction follows a multi-decade law enforcement effort targeting the elusive leader, who maintained a low public profile compared to his former partner, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
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Legal teams clashed over the specific detention facility where Zambada García will serve his life term.
Prosecutors from the Brooklyn US attorney's office wrote in a July 13 filing that security concerns will continue because individuals loyal to the defendant still control the cartel.
Defense attorney Frank Perez had requested a specialized facility equipped for elderly medical needs, noting his client anticipated the life term when accepting responsibility in a July 6 filing.
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Prosecutors countered that the requested prisons cannot mitigate high security risks, citing potential ongoing communication between Zambada García and active cartel factions.
