The lawyer for a strong Mexican drug cartel chief now in U.S. custody responded Sunday to claims his consumer was tricked into flying to the nation, saying he was “forcibly kidnapped” by the son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada had eluded authorities for many years and had by no means set foot in jail till a aircraft carrying him and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of infamous drug lord “El Chapo,” landed at an airport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, close to El Paso, Texas, on Thursday. Each males, who face a number of drug fees in the USA, had been arrested and stay jailed.
Zambada’s legal professional, Frank Perez, stated his consumer didn’t find yourself on the New Mexico airport of his personal free will.
“My consumer didn’t give up or negotiate any phrases with the U.S. authorities,” Perez stated in a press release. “Joaquin Guzman Lopez forcibly kidnapped my consumer. He was ambushed, thrown to the bottom and handcuffed by six males in army uniforms and Joaquin. His legs had been tied and a black bag was positioned over his head.” Perez went on to say that Zambada, 76, was thrown into the again of a pickup truck, compelled onto a aircraft and strapped into the seat by Guzman Lopez.
Often called a shrewd operator expert in corrupting officers, Zambada has a repute for with the ability to negotiate with anybody, together with his rivals. He’s charged in a number of circumstances in the USA, together with in New York and California. Prosecutors filed a brand new indictment in opposition to him in New York in February, describing him because the “principal chief of the felony group chargeable for importing large portions of narcotics into the USA.”
Eradicating him from the felony scene may set off a turbulent inner struggle for management of the cartel, as has occurred with the arrest or killing of different kingpins. Specialists say it may additionally open the door to a youthful, extra violent era of Sinaloa traffickers.
Perez declined to supply a lot additional remark past his assertion Sunday, saying solely that his consumer had been touring with a light-weight safety element and was misled after being referred to as into a gathering with Guzman Lopez.
Perez’s feedback had been first reported by the Los Angeles Occasions.
A spokesman for the U.S. Justice Division didn’t instantly reply to an electronic mail despatched Sunday looking for touch upon Perez’s claims. Court docket information don’t checklist an legal professional for Guzman Lopez, whose father is serving a life sentence in a U.S. jail.
In line with a U.S. regulation enforcement official conversant in the matter, Zambada was tricked into flying to the USA.
The cartel chief boarded a aircraft believing he was going some place else, stated the official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not approved to debate the matter. The official didn’t present particulars akin to who satisfied Zambada to board the aircraft or the place precisely he believed he was going.
Zambada appeared Friday morning in federal court docket in El Paso, the place a choose learn the fees in opposition to him and suggested him of his rights. He’s being held with out bail and has pleaded not responsible to a number of drug trafficking fees, in accordance with court docket information. His subsequent court docket listening to is scheduled for Thursday, Perez stated.
