Sinaloa cartel

The small twin-engine plane that transported Sinaloa cartel bosses to U.S. custody is now displayed at a New Mexico aviation museum. This exhibit is located inside the hangar of the airport where the plane originally landed.

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was sentenced to nine years in federal prison. The sentence was issued for helping Sinaloa Cartel-linked traffickers smuggle large quantities of drugs into the United States via the Tecate Port of Entry.

A former Customs & Border Protection officer, Jesse Garcia, was sentenced to nine years in federal court for allowing drug smugglers from the Sinaloa Cartel through the U.S.-Mexico border. Garcia admitted that he provided duty schedules and lane assignments connected to the cartel between 2021 and 2024. He received payment for each drug-laden vehicle allowed into the country.

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the murder of influencer César Gastélum in Culiacán, stating the case was discussed at a federal security meeting. She also confirmed efforts to invite Pope Leo XIV to Mexico and denied allegations of threatening Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos over a CIA-related drug lab raid.

Sinaloa's economy contracted 4.5% quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026 due to insecurity from cartel violence and adverse weather. The state lost 27,000 formal jobs, with experts linking the economic decline to ongoing clashes between Sinaloa Cartel factions Los Chapitos and Los Mayos.

Federal authorities seized over 1,000 pounds of cocaine worth $20 million hidden beneath the floorboards of a commercial truck entering the U.S. from Mexico at the Calexico Port of Entry. Mexican national Jose Manuel Lopez, 44, was arrested and charged with importing cocaine, marking the second-largest cocaine bust in the Southern District of California this year.

President Sheinbaum denied Argentine President Javier Milei's claim that Mexico is funding an anti-Argentina campaign, stating no such campaign exists. She addressed concerns about militarized schools and a fake cartel threat video in Zacatecas, while discussing the impact of social media and AI on youth. Milei had previously accused Mexico of supporting media operations against leftist governments in the region.

900 Mexican Army troops arrived in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, increasing security forces to over 1,300 amid a surge in violence, including multiple homicides, a femicide, and armed attacks. The reinforcement follows cartel-related conflicts since the arrest of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada and aims to protect residents and tourists during peak season.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a former Sinaloa Cartel leader, launched a youth mentorship initiative titled 'Don’t Do What I Did: A 68-Year Step-by-Step Case Study' to advise teenagers against pursuing organized crime. The program provides detailed curriculum on logistics, corruption, and asset diversification to highlight the complexities and risks of a criminal life.

Morena, Mexico’s ruling party, will implement a 'double filter' to screen 2027 candidates for criminal links and misconduct, requiring approval from both the party and the federal Security Cabinet. A third check by the National Electoral Institute (INE) will also apply to Morena candidates, following a U.S. indictment against several party politicians for drug trafficking.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada García, a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, was sentenced to life in prison in the U.S. and ordered to forfeit $15 billion in drug trafficking profits. Judge Brian Cogan cited the scale of drug distribution and murders linked to Zambada as justification for the sentence, while the U.S. Justice Department emphasized the conviction's role in dismantling the cartel.

Mexico's Deputy Health Minister Eduardo Clark reported progress on a US $10.4 billion hospital investment, with 30 projects completed and 33 more scheduled by 2026, adding 2,637 beds. President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the U.S. Cyclosporiasis outbreak, stating Mexican lettuce was not the source, and commented on cartel leader Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada's anti-crime message.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada Garcia, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, was sentenced to life in a U.S. prison and ordered to pay $15 billion in drug trafficking profits. The U.S. Department of Justice cited mandatory life imprisonment for the charges, and Garcia pleaded guilty in August 2025 after the DOJ declined to seek the death penalty.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, co-founder of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, was sentenced to life in a U.S. prison in Brooklyn. The sentence follows his capture and a kidnapping incident.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a co-founder and longtime leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, was sentenced to life in a U.S. prison by a federal judge in Brooklyn.

Mexican drug lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, was sentenced by a US court to life in prison. The US Department of State provided an undated image of Zambada.

Mexican drug lord 'El Mayo' apologized for his reign of brutal violence before being handed a life sentence. He took over 'El Chapo’s' Sinaloa cartel and issued a mea culpa during the sentencing.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, was sentenced to life in prison in a U.S. court for drug trafficking crimes. He apologized for the violence and harm caused by his activities, which contributed to over a million overdose deaths in the U.S.

Mexican drug kingpin Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada was sentenced to life in prison in the US after a plea deal in which he admitted to shipping millions of kilograms of cocaine as leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. US District Judge Brian Cogan imposed the sentence at a hearing in Brooklyn federal court.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada García, a Sinaloa cartel leader, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges. The sentence includes a $15 billion forfeiture and is tied to trafficking at least 1.5 million kilograms of cocaine.

El Mayo, a co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, is set to receive a life sentence in a Brooklyn federal court for drug trafficking.

El Mayo, a cofounder of the Sinaloa cartel, is set to receive a life sentence in a Brooklyn federal court for drug trafficking. The sentencing follows charges related to drug trafficking activities.

El Mayo, a cofounder of the Sinaloa cartel, is set to receive a life sentence in a Brooklyn federal court for drug trafficking.

El Mayo, a cofounder of the Sinaloa cartel, is set to receive a life sentence in a Brooklyn federal court for drug trafficking. The sentencing follows charges related to drug trafficking activities.

Ismael Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, is set to receive a life sentence in a U.S. court after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges. He and Joaquín Guzmán expanded the cartel into the world’s largest drug trafficking organization, flooding the U.S. with cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.

Ismael Zambada, a co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, will be sentenced to life in prison in a U.S. court after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges. Prosecutors described him as a key strategist responsible for smuggling cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine into the U.S., and he faces $15 billion in financial penalties.

Sinaloa cartel founder 'El Mayo' is set to receive a $15 billion forfeiture order and a life sentence. He co-founded the cartel with 'El Chapo'.

Mexico’s Security Cabinet rejected DEA Administrator Terry Cole’s claim of a 'deadly connection' between the Mexican government and drug cartels, stating the assertion is unfounded. The cabinet highlighted security achievements, including arrests, drug seizures, and dismantling criminal labs, while noting a 48% decline in daily homicides since September 2024.

The U.S. Treasury designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras cartel as foreign terrorist organizations, adding them to its Specially Designated Nationals list. The action aims to freeze their assets and restrict dealings with U.S. persons, following approval by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The U.S. government designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as foreign terrorist organizations, joining six other Mexican cartels under similar designations. The move aims to enable more aggressive U.S. actions against these groups and their supporters, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio citing threats to U.S. security and interests.

The U.S. government designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as foreign terrorist organizations, joining six other Mexican cartels under similar labels. The move aims to enable more aggressive U.S. actions against these groups and their supporters.

The U.S. government designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as foreign terrorist organizations, joining existing groups like the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The move increases pressure on Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration and follows designations under the Trump administration starting in February 2025.

The U.S. government has designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as foreign terrorist organizations, joining six other Mexican cartels under similar designations. The move increases pressure on Mexico's administration following recent indictments of officials linked to cartels.

Mexico’s president rejected US Drug Enforcement Administration claims of a government-cartel connection, as Washington pressures her to extradite officials accused of ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Sheinbaum resisted despite bilateral extradition agreements, prompting threats of tariffs and military action from Donald Trump.

U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson highlighted the Trump Administration's efforts to combat firearms trafficking, resulting in over 10,000 arrests, nearly 50,000 firearms seized, and 2.9 million rounds of ammunition confiscated between January 2025 and July 2026. The U.S. and Mexico, under President Claudia Sheinbaum, collaborate through initiatives like 'Mission Firewall' to disrupt illicit weapon flows.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a Sinaloa Cartel leader, has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and will accept a life sentence but requests incarceration in a U.S. prison equipped to address his health issues. His lawyer, Frank A. Perez, has asked the court to recommend a suitable facility.

Ken Salazar denied lying about U.S. involvement in the capture of drug lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, following accusations from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR). The arrest occurred in New Mexico in July 2024, with Guzmán López admitting to orchestrating Zambada’s kidnapping. Salazar claimed U.S. resources were not used in the operation, while a report suggested FBI involvement.

The FBI has added 'Carlitos Rugrats,' an alleged high-ranking member of the Sinaloa cartel, to its 'Most Wanted' list for trafficking fentanyl and other drugs into the United States through the San Diego region.

Carlos Paez Pereda, accused leader of the Sinaloa Cartel's Los Rugrats wing, faces narcoterrorism and drug trafficking charges. The Justice Department alleges he orchestrated a violent drug distribution network, facilitated cartel conflicts, and laundered millions. Federal agencies including the FBI and DEA are involved in the case.

A marine was killed and three others injured in an ambush by armed criminals in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, attributed to the 'Los Chapitos' faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. A subsequent clash in El Rosario resulted in 10 criminal deaths and the arrest of three Colombian nationals, with weapons and equipment seized.