How a Drug Lord Was Renditioned to America

A top Mexican drug lord was arrested in the United States, following his renditioning to America. Rather than sending its own special forces or agents, America relied on another drug lord to deliver him on US soil.

The kingpin was tricked by his associate to get on a flight, thinking he was going to visit Northern Mexico properties. Rather, the plane crossed the border, alerting federal agents to arrive and take the drug lord into custody. USA Today reports:

Former law enforcement officials involved in the decadeslong hunt for Zambada say his arrest Thursday is as monumental as the 2016 capture of “El Chapo” Guzman given his role as the chief strategic thinker of what is universally considered to be the world’s most powerful organized crime organization.

But Zambada’s arrest is also shaping up to be a story of epic betrayal by one of Chapo’s sons, one key player told USA TODAY − and a direct result of their business strategy to flood the U.S. with deadly fentanyl over the past decade. That galvanized the U.S. government to launch a scorched-earth campaign to go after them.  

Many police and intelligence operations succeed thanks to informants and undercover agents. This was no different, with deals with cartel members essential to America’s strategy to fight the drug trade. Reuters continues:

Reuters could not determine why Guzman Lopez betrayed his father’s long-time partner, though the four current and former sources said it was likely due to his desire to obtain a more favourable plea bargain deal from U.S. authorities and help his brother, Ovidio, who was arrested and extradited to the United States in 2023.

U.S. authorities have made drug bosses key targets, frequently striking plea bargain deals with them in exchange for information that leads to the capture of other high-ranking cartel figures.

Cutting deals with unsavory characters is key to accomplishing America’s foreign policy goals. It might need to take this approach in the rest of the world to shore up its position in an era of uncertainty.