Mexican drug lord Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada to plead guilty to federal charges

NEW YORK AP Former Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael El Mayo Zambada is expected to plead guilty Monday to federal charges related to his role in the violent drug commerce that for years flooded the U S with cocaine heroin and other illicit substances The longtime leader of the Sinaloa cartel is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Brooklyn for a change of plea hearing Related Articles Tropical Storm Juliette forms in the Pacific as Fernand churns over open waters in the Atlantic Poll Worst MBTA station in Boston The present day in History August accused communist denies espionage charges With more self-driving cars on the road states put more rules in place Kratom faces increasing scrutiny from states and the feds The appearance comes after federal prosecutors disclosed two weeks ago that they wouldn t seek the death penalty against Zambada who was arrested in Texas last year Prosecutors in a court filing ahead of Monday s hearing explained they expect the -year-old to plead guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of running a continuing criminal enterprise Zambada pleaded not guilty last year to a range of drug trafficking and related charges including gun and money laundering offenses Lawyers for Zambada didn t straightaway respond to an email seeking comment Friday Prosecutors say the Sinaloa cartel evolved from a regional member into the largest drug trafficking organization in the world under the leadership of Zambada and co-founder Joaqu n El Chapo Guzm n They say Zambada presided over a violent highly militarized cartel with a private safety force armed with powerful weapons and a cadre of sicarios or hitmen that carried out assassinations kidnappings and torture Guzm n was sentenced to life behind bars following his conviction in the same federal court in Brooklyn in His two sons who ran a cartel faction also face federal charges