Elderly Mexican drug lord “El Mayo” — who took over “El Chapo’s” notorious Sinaloa cartel — apologized for his reign of brutal violence Monday before being handed a life sentence. Ismael Mario Zambada García (born 31 January 1950), [4] also known as “ El Mayo ”, is a Mexican former drug lord and co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, an international crime syndicate based in the state of Sinaloa. Before he assumed leadership of the entire cartel, he allegedly served as the logistical coordinator for its Zambada García faction, which has overseen the trafficking of. Mexican drug kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, was sentenced to life in prison in the United States on Monday. Mexican drug kingpin Ismael El Mayo Zambada faces sentencing Monday for his role in the Sinaloa Cartel. He admitted to shipping millions of kilograms of cocaine over decades as a cartel leader. Zambada agreed to a plea deal last year, avoiding the death penalty. He was arrested in July 2024 and will be sentenced in Brooklyn federal court. PHOENIX (AP) — Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the top leader and co-founder of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, eluded the reach of U.S. law enforcement for decades as the criminal organization evolved. Inside the Rise and Fall of Sinaloa Cartel Kingpin El Mayo Ismael El Mayo Zambada García spent decades running one of Mexico's largest drug cartels before finally being apprehended in 2024. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the top leader and co-founder of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, eluded the reach of U.S. law enforcement for decades as the criminal organization evolved into the world's. Former Mexican drug kingpin Ismael El Mayo Zambada is set to be sentenced in a U.S. court Monday to life in prison, a punishment guaranteed by his guilty plea last year to drug trafficking charges. Mexican drug kingpin Ismael Zambada alias 'El Mayo' will appear in court on Monday for sentencing in the US to life in prison, after a plea deal last year in which he admitted to shipping. Mexican drug kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada had pleaded guilty in August 2025 to shipping millions of kilograms of cocaine as leader of the violent Sinaloa Cartel.