Law enforcement took Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, into custody Thursday, July 25, on the tarmac of Doña Ana County International Jetport in New Mexico, where El Paso's wealthiest residents keep their private planes, according to a report from USA Today.
Zambada made an initial appearance Friday, July 26, in the Western District of Texas at the Albert Armendariz Sr. Federal Courthouse in Downtown El Paso, federal court records show.
He pleaded not guilty to the seven charges filed against him, records show. The charges are:
Conspiracy to possess firearm/drug traffickers and aid and abet
Zambada kidnapped, flown to US, lawyer says
Late Saturday, July 27, criminal defense lawyer Frank Perez told USA TODAY that his client, Zambada, did not board the plane voluntarily, but as part of a deal orchestrated by the son of El Chapo to secure a better plea agreement with U.S. authorities for himself.
Close-up of plastic zip ties inside the plane that carried alleged drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada to the United States on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
"My client neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the U.S. government," Perez said in a statement given exclusively to USA TODAY. "Joaquin Guzman Lopez forcibly kidnapped my client. He was ambushed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed by six men in military uniforms and Joaquin."
After that, Perez said, Zambada's "legs were tied, and a black bag was placed over his head. He was then thrown into the back of a pickup truck and taken to a landing strip. There, he was forced onto a plane, his legs tied to the seat by Joaquin, and brought to the U.S. against his will. The only people on the plane were the pilot, Joaquin and my client."
Inside plane that carried 'El Mayo' and son of 'El Chapo'
A view of cockpit inside the plane that carried alleged drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada to the U.S. on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Chains on the plane that carried alleged drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada to the U.S. on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Nose of the Beechcraft plane that carried alleged drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada to the U.S. on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Snacks rest on a seat inside the Beechcraft jet that landed at Dona Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada on board.
A view of the plane that carried alleged drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada to the U.S. on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
An oxygen mask and snacks rest on a seat inside the Beechcraft jet that landed at Dona Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada on board.
Plastic zip ties in a convenience store bag inside the plane that carried alleged drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada to the U.S. on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
The Beechcraft jet that landed at Dona Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada on board was parked underneath a cart port.
A Beechcraft jet landed at Dona Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada on board.
A Beechcraft jet landed at Dona Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada on board.
A Beechcraft jet landed at Dona Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada on board.
A Beechcraft jet landed at Dona Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada on board.
A Beechcraft jet landed at Dona Ana County International Jetport on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada on board.
A plane with a U.S. and Customs and Border Protection tag is shown on a plane in which alleged Sinaloa Cartel leaders, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, allegedly landed in Dona Ana County International Jetport aboard this airplane. The two men were taken under U.S. custody in New Mexico July 25, 2024.
A plane with a U.S. and Customs and Border Protection tag is shown on a plane in which alleged Sinaloa Cartel leaders, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, landed in Dona Ana County International Jetport aboard this airplane. The two men were taken under U.S. custody in New Mexico July 25, 2024.
USA Today reporter Lauren Villagran and El Paso Times reporter Aaron Martinez contributed to this report.
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