Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the elusive co-founder of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, is expected to plead guilty to multiple federal charges in the United States on August 25, 2025, during a scheduled change-of-plea hearing before Judge Brian Cogan in Brooklyn, New York.
Zambada, 77, faces 17 counts, including drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit murder, firearms offenses, and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that under his leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel evolved into one of the world’s most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations, responsible for flooding the U.S. with cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
The plea deal comes after the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed it would not seek the death penalty, a decision authorized by Attorney General Pam Bondi on August 5, 2025. Zambada’s legal team has indicated that he is willing to accept responsibility for charges that avoid capital punishment.
Zambada was arrested in July 2024 in Texas after arriving on a private plane with Joaquín Guzmán López, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Zambada claims he was kidnapped and forcibly brought to the U.S., a claim denied by Guzmán López’s attorney.
The plea deal may include cooperation with U.S. authorities, similar to the arrangement made by Ovidio Guzmán López, who pleaded guilty last month in exchange for sentence reductions and protection for family members.
Zambada’s guilty plea marks a dramatic turn in a decades-long saga. Once considered untouchable, his cooperation could reshape cartel dynamics and provide unprecedented insight into the inner workings of Mexico’s drug trade. The full terms of the agreement are expected to be revealed during the August 25 hearing.
Source: Lopez Doriga Digital
