U.S. Indicts 'Mayo' Zambada For Manufacturing And Distributing Fentanyl

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

This article was translated from RIODOCE 

The US government formally charged Ismael El Mayo Zambada Garcia with "conspiring to manufacture and distribute"fentanyl"with the intent and knowledge that such substances would be illegally imported" into its territory.

According to a statement released by the US State Department, Zambada Garcia "was previously charged in multiple superseding indictments with directing a continuing criminal enterprise, as well as conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, as well as other drug-related crimes, through his ongoing activity" as a Sinaloa Cartel member.

Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Anne Milgram, Administrator, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Ivan J. Arvelo, Acting Assistant Director for National Operations, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office (FBI); Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Steven G. James, Superintendent, New York State Police (NYSP), announced the fifth superseding indictment.

"As alleged, Zambada Garcia is charged with numerous drug-related crimes, which now include the manufacture and distribution of fentanyl, a deadly drug that was largely unknown when he founded the Sinaloa Cartel more than three decades ago and that today is responsible for immeasurable harm," stated U.S. Attorney Peace.

While Zambada Garcia remains a principal leader of the criminal enterprise responsible for importing massive quantities of narcotics into the United States, this fifth indictment demonstrates our steadfast determination to bring him to justice, just as we did with his former accomplice, El Chapo, and as we will continue to do with all those who traffic drugs and seek to profit from the devastation inflicted on our communities. 

Anne Milgram said, as quoted in the release, that "fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat Americans have ever faced, and the Sinaloa Cartel remains the largest trafficker of fentanyl into the United States."

"With fentanyl being the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 18 and 45, we must continue to hold Zambada Garcia and other cartel leaders, members and associates accountable for the people they have killed."

Source: RIODOCE