Mexican drug lord “El Mayo” — who took over the notorious Sinaloa cartel from “El Chapo” — apologized for his reign of brutal violence Monday before being handed a life sentence in a New York federal courtroom.
Judge Brian Cogan also ordered the infamous 76-year-old gangster, whose full name is Ismael Zambada Garcia, to forfeit a whopping $15 billion.
“I am here to say I’m sorry for the harm I caused, and the example I set,” the elderly kingpin said before learning his fate in Brooklyn federal court. “I accept my punishment. I am not here for compassion.”
Mexican drug lord “El Mayo” apologized before he was sentenced on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Ismael “el Mayo” Zambada’s lawyer, Frank Perez, arrives to court on Monday, July 20, 2026. Gregory P. Mango for NY Post
But the feds admitted in court that they have yet to recover any of the ruthless narco bosses’ ill-gotten gains.
