Alleged cartel leader Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada appears in federal court in El Paso
CNN
Alleged Sinaloa cartel cofounder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada appeared Thursday in federal court in Texas for his latest hearing since his arrest a week ago in an intrigue-packed case centered on one of the world’s most powerful and deadly drug trafficking organizations.
Alleged Sinaloa cartel cofounder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada appeared Thursday in federal court in Texas for his latest hearing since his arrest a week ago in an intrigue-packed case centered on one of the world’s most powerful and deadly drug trafficking organizations. In the seven-minute court hearing, both prosecutors and defense attorneys requested a 30-day delay in proceedings to allow for time to collect additional evidence, which was granted. Zambada, 76, is being held without bond after pleading not guilty July 26 to seven federal criminal counts, including continuing criminal enterprise and money laundering. He was arrested the prior day in El Paso alongside Joaquín Guzmán López, the 38-year-old son of infamous cartel boss and founder Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Zambada on Thursday was wheeled into the courtroom seated in a wheelchair and was wearing a blue hoodie and orange socks. The scene outside the courthouse in El Paso showed a heavy security presence, with federal agents and bomb-sniffing dogs patrolling the perimeter. Now, several US attorneys are competing over who first will try Zambada, who is being held by US Marshals at an undisclosed location because of the security concerns and potential threats to his life. At least five US attorneys – in New York, California, Texas, Illinois and Washington, DC – have brought indictments against him, and several want first crack at the drug lord, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
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