Notorious Sinaloa cartel boss Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada has received a life sentence in the United States. The ruling ends one of the country’s biggest cartel cases since Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán was convicted.

The notorious drug kingpin admitted leading a criminal enterprise and trafficking millions of kilograms of cocaine over several decades. He also agreed to give up US$15 billion in drug profits. Before sentencing, Zambada apologized to victims and accepted responsibility for his crimes. He also urged young people to stay away from violence.

Zambada grew up in the Mexican state of Sinaloa and later co-founded the powerful Sinaloa cartel with El Chapo. The group became one of the world’s largest drug trafficking organizations. It smuggled cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl into the United States. Over the years, several of Zambada’s relatives were arrested. Some later cooperated with US investigators.

US authorities arrested the notorious cartel leader in Texas in July 2024 after he arrived on a private plane from Mexico. Zambada claimed someone tricked him into boarding the flight. Mexican officials have since asked the United States to explain how the arrest happened. The judge also reviewed medical records showing Zambada has declining cognitive abilities and other health problems.

Experts say the sentence is unlikely to stop the Sinaloa cartel. Rival factions continue to fight for control, driving violence across the state of Sinaloa. Analysts believe other leaders will take Zambada’s place, allowing the cartel’s operations to continue.