### “El Mayo” to Appear in NY Court for the First Time
Ismael Mario Zambada García, commonly known as “El Mayo,” and a prominent figure in the Sinaloa Cartel, is set to make his first appearance before the Federal Court in the Eastern District of New York. The 76-year-old drug lord will stand before Judge James R. Cho on September 12, 2024.
Initially, Zambada García’s appearance was scheduled to take place at 8:00 AM in courtroom 11 D South. The Sinaloa Cartel co-founder had previously agreed to a U.S. Government motion dated September 5, 2024, which had initially been rejected on August 23, 2024. This motion allowed for his transfer to Brooklyn, New York, where Judge Brian M. Cogan will preside over his trial.
This development came after Judge Kathleen Cardone from the Western District of Texas in El Paso denied the request to transfer Zambada García to New York a day earlier. New York’s prosecutors notified Cardone of the transfer process initiated for Zambada from El Paso to Brooklyn. According to official documents, Zambada García did not oppose this transfer.
The New York prosecutors argued that prosecuting Zambada García in two states simultaneously would pose significant security risks and require vast resources due to his influential position within the cartel. Prosecutor Jaime Esparza emphasized the extraordinary precautions needed for Zambada’s movements and incarceration due to his powerful status.
Despite the transfer, Judge Cardone argued that Zambada’s charges in both Texas and New York were equally severe. She emphasized that he is accused of ordering murders in Texas, which heightens the impact of his alleged criminal activity on the El Paso community.
The U.S. Department of Justice had advised Cardone to prioritize the New York proceedings, but she only remotely approved the transfer without immediate action. Defense attorney Frank Pérez contested that undergoing another initial hearing in New York would be unnecessary since a preliminary schedule was already set in Texas.
In El Paso, Zambada faces charges along with 23 others for drug trafficking, money laundering, possession of firearms, and violent crimes supporting a criminal organization. Conversely, his charges in New York include a broader list of drug trafficking offenses involving over 250 tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, and heroin. Additionally, he is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and running a criminal organization from 1989 to 2024.
### Recent Developments in Related Cases
#### Notable Drug-Related Sentences and Arrests
In recent updates, multiple members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel have faced significant legal proceedings across various jurisdictions. This increased legal action underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement authorities to dismantle large-scale drug trafficking operations linked to the cartel.
1. **Conviction of DEA Informants**: Several former DEA informants were convicted of collaborating with the cartel in trafficking operations. This resulted in a tightening of internal regulations within the agency to prevent such incidents.
2. **Cartel Member Extraditions**: The U.S. has successfully extradited several high-ranking members of the cartel from Mexico, strengthening cross-border cooperation in combatting organized crime.
3. **Heightened Security Measures**: Given the escalating cartel-related violence, cities like El Paso have implemented enhanced security protocols around judicial buildings and prisons to prevent potential retaliation from cartel members.
These measures indicate that while Zambada García’s forthcoming court appearance in New York is a significant milestone, it is part of a broader strategy aimed at curtailing cartel operations and ensuring justice for the communities affected by their activities.