Life Sentence for Sinaloa Cartel Co-Founder 'El Mayo' Zambada

Mexican drug lord and Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada was sentenced to life in prison by a federal court in New York. At the sentencing hearing following his guilty plea, the 76-year-old Zambada focused on expressing remorse to avoid being sent to the harsh isolation conditions where his former partner, Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, is held.

During the hearing, Judge Brian Cogan also ordered the seizure of Zambada's 15 billion dollar assets, in line with the prosecution's request. Zambada's lawyers requested that their client be transferred to a medical facility, citing his advanced age and health problems. While the judge did not make an official prison recommendation, he asked that the convict's health condition be taken into consideration.

Reading a brief apology letter during the court proceedings, Zambada acknowledged the damage caused during his years leading the cartel and urged future generations not to repeat the same mistakes. The US Department of Justice considered this sentence a significant step within the scope of President Donald Trump administration's fentanyl combat policies and international sanctions.