Mexican Drug Cartel Boss Claims Forced Kidnapping by El Chapo’s Son
The lawyer for a Mexican drug cartel boss currently in U.S. custody dismissed claims on Sunday that his client was tricked into flying to the country, saying he was “forcibly kidnapped” by the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman.
Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada had evaded authorities for decades and had never set foot in jail, until a plane took him and Joaquín Guzman, the son of notorious drug lord El Chapo, to New Mexico.
Accusations of Abduction and Legal Proceedings
Zambada’s attorney, Frank Perez, stated that his client did not arrive voluntarily at the New Mexico airport. Perez claimed that Joaquin Guzman Lopez forcibly abducted Zambada, handcuffed him, and forced him onto a plane against his will.
Zambada, known for his negotiation skills and corruption of officials, faces multiple drug trafficking charges in the New York and California judicial systems. His removal from the criminal realm could lead to a power struggle within the cartel and pave the way for a younger, more violent generation of traffickers to rise.
Zambada appeared in El Paso federal court and is being held without bail, pleading not guilty to the charges. Perez mentioned that the next court hearing is scheduled for later in the week.
Response from U.S. Authorities and Legal Representation
A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to Perez’s claims, and court records did not list an attorney for Guzman Lopez. A U.S. law enforcement official familiar with the matter stated that Zambada was tricked into flying to the United States, boarding the plane under false pretenses.
The case highlights the intricate legal and criminal dynamics surrounding drug cartel operations, with implications for the future of the organization and the overall drug trade in the region.
