Legal professional for cartel chief ‘El Mayo’ Zambada says his consumer was kidnapped and dropped at the US

HOUSTON (AP) — The lawyer of a powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who’s now in U.S. custody pushed again Sunday towards claims that his consumer was tricked into flying into the nation, saying he was “forcibly kidnapped” by the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

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 Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of infamous drug kingpin “El Chapo,” landed at an airport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, close to El Paso, Texas, on Thursday. Each males, who face varied U.S. drug fees, were arrested and remain jailed.

Frank Perez, Zambada’s legal professional, stated his consumer didn’t find yourself on the New Mexico airport of his personal free will.

“My consumer neither surrendered nor negotiated any phrases with the U.S. authorities,” Perez stated in a press release. “Joaquín Guzmán López forcibly kidnapped my consumer. He was ambushed, thrown to the bottom, and handcuffed by six males in navy 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 at the back of a pickup truck, compelled onto a aircraft and tied to the seat by Guzmán López.

Generally known as an astute operator expert at corrupting officers, Zambada has a repute for having the ability to negotiate with everybody, together with rivals. He’s charged in a number of U.S. cases, together with in New York and California. Prosecutors introduced a brand new indictment towards him in New York in February, describing him because the “principal chief of the prison enterprise answerable for importing huge portions of narcotics into the US.”

Eradicating him from the prison panorama might set off a turbulent inner battle for management over the cartel, as has occurred with the arrest or killings of other kingpins. Specialists say it might additionally open the door for a extra violent, youthful era of Sinaloa traffickers to maneuver up.

Perez declined to supply way more remark past his Sunday assertion, saying solely that his consumer had been touring with a lightweight safety element and was arrange after being referred to as to a gathering with Guzmán López.

Perez’s feedback had been first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Justice Division didn’t instantly return an e mail in search of remark Sunday on Perez’s claims. Courtroom data didn’t listing an legal professional for Guzmán López, whose father is serving a life sentence in a U.S. jail.

In accordance with a U.S. regulation enforcement official accustomed to the matter, Zambada was duped into flying into the U.S.

The cartel chief bought on an airplane believing he was going someplace else, stated the official, who spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to debate the matter. The official didn’t present particulars reminiscent of who persuaded Zambada to get on the aircraft or the place precisely he thought he was going.

Zambada appeared in federal courtroom in El Paso on Friday morning, the place a decide learn the fees towards him and knowledgeable him of his rights. He’s being held with out bond and has pleaded not responsible to numerous drug trafficking fees, courtroom data present. His subsequent courtroom listening to is scheduled for Thursday, Perez stated.

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