Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia, a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on July 20, 2026, by a federal court in Brooklyn, New York.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan imposed the sentence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Zambada Garcia was convicted of leading a continuing criminal enterprise, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations violations, and additional drug-related charges.
The Justice Department described the Sinaloa Cartel as one of the most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations in the world. Zambada Garcia served as a principal leader of the organization.