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Accused Mexican Drug Kingpin Retains Attorney Who Represented His 'Turncoat' Son

By Kit Yona, M.A. | Reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq. | Last updated on

The criminal prosecution involving the Sinaloa drug cartel has all the makings of an epic mini-series. Power! Untold riches! Dramatic arrests! Betrayal! Court battles! The latest ingredient added to the mix involves a defendant choosing to retain an attorney who represented his son when he testified against the defendant's former partner. Need more? There's a possibility of that same son testifying against the defendant father if the current case goes to trial.

Don't worry if you didn't catch all of that at once, we'll explain. Meanwhile, is that Netflix knocking? If so, fade in to a federal courtroom in Brooklyn ...

North of the Border

The defendant is Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, age 76. Zambada was believed to be a co-founder and leader of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico, assuming control after Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán was arrested in 2016. Guzmán was convicted in U.S. federal court in 2019 in a trial that included testimony against the druglord from Zambada's son Vincente Zambada Niebla.

Guzmán was given a life sentence. He's serving his term in solitary confinement in a super-max prison in Colorado. Vicente Zambada Niebla pleaded guilty to charges of cocaine trafficking in 2018 and was sentenced to 15 years. He has been released.

The elder Zambada was arrested on July 25, 2024, at a small airfield in New Mexico, just over the border from El Paso, Texas. Also arrested was Guzmán's son, Joaquin Guzmán Lopez.

The arrest was considered a major victory for U.S. law enforcement and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), who have been chasing Zambada since first indicting him in 2009. A fifth superseding indictment was obtained in February 2024.

The charges against Zambada are numerous and serious. He's accused of leading a continuing criminal enterprise for 35 years. Under his control, the Sinaloa Cartel allegedly manufactured and distributed "massive quantities of narcotics" that generated billions in illegal revenue.

The feds allege murders through groups of hitmen called "sicarios" were common. Zambada is also alleged to be responsible for money laundering and creating corruption through bribes and intimidation.

At the very least, Zambada faces a minimum of life in prison. Given the type and number of charges against him, the death penalty is also on the table.

A Curious Decision

During a hearing in a Brooklyn federal court on Jan. 25, 2025, Zambada gave his informed consent to retain his attorney, Frank Perez, acknowledging the attorney's previous representation of his son in the case against his former partner. It's an interesting choice.

There's no doubt it's a potential conflict of interest for Perez. The prosecutors for the case have indicated Zambada Niebla will be on their list of potential witnesses. While this doesn't guarantee he'll be called, it sets up a situation where Perez might have to defend his current client from the testimony of his former client, who also happens to be his client's son.

Courting a Deal

District Judge Brian Cogan didn't try to block Zambada's request. There's speculation that given his advanced age and the possibility of ending up on Death Row, Zambada may opt for a plea bargain instead. The court encouraged the parties to work on an agreement before the next court date in April.

Any deal will likely find Zambada behind bars for the rest of his life. At least he won't have to worry about attending awkward holiday gatherings with his son.

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