The lawyer representing captured drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada refuted claims that his client had been tricked into boarding a plane bound for the United States, where he was arrested Thursday, alleging he was “forcibly kidnapped” by a son of the infamous Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera.
Zambada, 76, was arrested after arriving at a small airport near El Paso, along with Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the 38-year-old son of El Chapo, who co-founded the cartel with Zambada.
The lawyer, Frank Perez, rejected reports that Zambada, who has pleaded not guilty to a range of drug trafficking, weapons and money laundering charges, had turned himself in or had been tricked into boarding the plane.
“My client did not surrender or negotiate any terms with the U.S. government. Joaquin Guzman Lorena forcibly kidnapped my client,” Perez said. “He was ambushed, thrown to the ground and handcuffed by six men in military uniforms and Joaquin. They tied his legs and placed a black bag 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, Joaquin tied his legs to the seat and he was taken to the United States against his will.”
Perez said the only people on the plane were “the pilot, Joaquin and my client.”
Sources familiar with the situation, who were not authorized to speak publicly about the arrests, told The Times that Zambada had somehow been tricked into boarding the plane that took him to American soil.
“It was an epic crime, once in a lifetime,” said a police source working in Mexico. “The old man was tricked.”
According to Perez, who spoke briefly to The Times after issuing the statement, Zambada was framed when he was summoned to a meeting with Guzman Lopez, the leader of the cartel faction known as Los Chapitos. Zambada was traveling with a small security detail.
Caught by surprise, Zambada was overpowered by Guzmán López and his men, Pérez said.
Guzman Lopez faces federal charges in Chicago and Washington, D.C., for drug trafficking and his role as leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. Court records do not show he has entered any plea. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is breaking news and will be updated.
