Ismael Zambada Garcia, a Mexican national, recently plead guilty to being a principal leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world from January 1989 through January 2024, and to a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charge.
Garcia was previously charged in the Eastern District of New York, the Western District of Texas, the District of Columbia, the Northern District of Illinois, the Southern District of California, and the Central District of California.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Garcia agreed to the transfer of the Texas indictment for plea and sentencing in the Eastern District of New York. He also agreed to the entry at sentencing of a $15 billion forfeiture money judgment.
Any remaining indictments will be dismissed at the time of sentencing which is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026. Garcia faces a mandatory minimum term of life in prison for both leading a continuing criminal enterprise and on the RICO count.
Garcia was indicted on RICO conspiracy for his participation in money laundering, murder and drug conspiracies, and murder and kidnapping between Jan. 1, 2000, and April 11, 2012.
The cartel has imported narcotics into the United States and laundered billions of dollars in drug proceeds back to Mexico since the 1980s.