One of the biggest cartel busts in recent memory began with an act of betrayal

How alleged cartel kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who evaded capture for more than half a century, ended up in the hands of US federal agents.

How did an alleged cartel kingpin who evaded capture for more than half a century end up in the hands of US federal agents? According to officials, it started with an act of betrayal. Details are still emerging about what led last week to one of the most significant and stunning cartel busts in recent memory. US officials who’ve spoken with CNN say a key player in the operation to arrest Sinaloa cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was another major cartel figure who was arrested beside him. Joaquín Guzmán López, one of the sons of convicted cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, duped Zambada and orchestrated their arrest, officials told CNN. Zambada, 76, thought he and Guzmán López were flying to northern Mexico to look at real estate, officials said. But instead, their small private plane landed north of the border near El Paso, Texas, where US authorities were waiting on the tarmac.