The global war on drugs scored a significant victory on Friday, as two leaders of the infamous Sinaloa cartel were apprehended in El Paso, Texas.
The news was met with widespread approval from U.S. lawmakers and officials from the Biden administration, with one Republican representative describing the arrests as a "win for the world."
As reported by Fox News, the individuals taken into custody were Ismael Zambada Garcia, known as "El Mayo," a co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, and Joaqun Guzmn Lpez, the son of the cartel's other co-founder, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced, "The Justice Department has taken into custody two additional alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world. Ismael Zambada Garcia, or El Mayo, co-founder of the Cartel, and Joaqun Guzmn Lpez, a son of its other co-founder, were arrested today in El Paso, Texas."
The Sinaloa cartel, notorious for its involvement in global drug trafficking, was founded by Zambada Garcia and the now-imprisoned "El Chapo." A federal law enforcement source revealed to Fox News that while Guzmn Lpez surrendered to U.S. authorities, El Mayo was captured. The source further explained that Guzmn Lpez had struck a deal with U.S. authorities, leading to El Mayo's capture.
The Department of Justice had previously offered a $15 million reward for information leading to El Mayo's arrest and conviction. Following his arrest, he now faces multiple indictments for crimes related to drug trafficking and organized crime in the United States.
President Biden lauded the arrests, highlighting their significance in the fight against the illicit fentanyl trade, which is predominantly manufactured in Mexico and smuggled across the southern border into the U.S. "I commend the work of our law enforcement officials who made this arrest for their ongoing work to bring Sinaloa cartel leaders to justice," Biden stated. "Too many of our citizens have lost their lives to the scourge of fentanyl. Too many families have been broken and are suffering because of this destructive drug. My administration will continue doing everything we can to hold deadly drug traffickers to account and to save American lives."
Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas whose district lies along the southern border, echoed the President's sentiments, telling Fox News Digital that the arrests were a "huge win for the world, certainly for America." He praised the agents of the FBI, DEA, and HSI, attributing the success to "good old-fashioned field work."
However, Gonzales also cautioned about the potential for a power vacuum in the wake of the arrests. "The reality is every time this happens, sometimes the organization fractures into more tiny little pieces, and they're even more ruthless than before. And, so, we have to look at it through that lens of going, This is a positive thing, but also how do we prepare?" he said.
Gonzales revealed that he had been in discussions with DOJ officials about whether additional resources or movements are needed. "It's not all rainbows and unicorns, if you will, and it's a very positive thing. But we've got to be prepared for the realities of a void in leadership in these criminal organizations," he concluded.
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