Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, has issued a statement regarding the new federal charges against cartel leader Ismael Zambada Garcia for fentanyl distribution and underscored the significance of his arrest. Zambada, who is still at large, is believed to have co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel alongside Joaquin "Guzman Loera," also known as "El Chapo," who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019.
"As alleged, Zambada Garcia is charged with numerous drug offenses, now including the manufacture and distribution of fentanyl, a deadly drug that was largely unheard of when he founded the Sinaloa Cartel more than three decades ago and today is responsible for immeasurable harm," said Peace, according to a United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) press release. "While Zambada Garcia continues to be a principal leader of the criminal enterprise responsible for importing enormous quantities of narcotics into the United States, this fifth superseding indictment demonstrates our firm resolve to bring him to justice, just as we did with his former co-conspirator El Chapo, and just as we will continue to do to all those who traffic drugs and seek to profit from the devastation inflicted on our communities."
As per the press release from the DEA, a fresh indictment in the Brooklyn federal court accuses Ismael Zambada Garcia, also known as "El Mayo," of involvement in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl with the intention of illegal importation into the United States. The indictment builds on prior allegations against Zambada for his leadership role in the Sinaloa Cartel, an organization deeply involved in global drug trafficking and associated with numerous crimes such as murder, money laundering, and narcotics distribution including cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. The DEA press release indicates that these latest charges extend his alleged criminal activities up until January 2024, underlining his sustained influence. His partner in crime within the cartel, Guzman Loera, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019.
The DEA's release underscores the extensive scale of the fentanyl distribution network led by Zambada who is allegedly responsible for trafficking at least 400 grams of this substance—a figure expected to be significantly higher when brought to trial. The U.S. Department of State has announced a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Zambada Garcia's arrest or conviction, emphasizing how crucial his apprehension is for disrupting cartel operations.
According to information available on the U.S. Attorney’s office website, Peace was appointed by President Joe Biden as the 48th U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York and is responsible for overseeing federal legal matters for over 8 million people. Peace serves on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), chairs its White Collar Fraud Subcommittee, and contributes to civil rights discussions. The website states that Peace holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley.
