For nearly four decades, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia was one of the most powerful figures in the Sinaloa Cartel, helping oversee a vast drug-trafficking operation while prosecutors accused him of using violence, murder and corruption to protect his empire. His reign finally came to an end after his 2024 arrest, when he was taken to the United States following a dramatic capture that prosecutors say involved one of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s sons.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Zambada helped traffic enormous quantities of cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine while cartel associates allegedly assaulted, tortured and killed people considered threats. Prosecutors described the organization as one of the world’s most violent criminal enterprises and said millions of dollars were used to corrupt officials. Zambada later pleaded guilty and acknowledged the devastating human cost of his actions.

The court ultimately sentenced the 76-year-old cartel co-founder to life in federal prison and ordered him to forfeit $15 billion in drug-trafficking proceeds. Before sentencing, Zambada reportedly told the court that he understood the “grave harm” illegal drugs had caused in both the United States and Mexico. He also apologized to people affected by the violence and urged younger traffickers to choose another path.

His lawyers had asked the court to consider his cooperation, arguing that his guilty plea spared witnesses and victims from a lengthy trial. However, the judge imposed life imprisonment, ensuring that Zambada will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Prosecutors described the sentence as the closing of a chapter that had lasted nearly 40 years and caused enormous damage through drugs, corruption and violence.