Guzman Lopez, who is in his mid-30s, appeared in federal court in Chicago. He was taken into U.S. custody Thursday night near El Paso, Texas, along with Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, accused of being one of the drug lords who founded the Sinaloa cartel with “El Chapo.”
Guzmán López tricked Zambada into boarding a propeller plane in Mexico by saying they were going to scout real estate in the north of the country, according to U.S. officials familiar with the situation. Instead, the plane took both men to the United States, where Guzmán López planned to surrender, but Zambada did not.
“El Mayo” Zambada also pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges last week in federal court in El Paso.
His lawyer, Frank Perez, disputed the version of events offered by U.S. authorities. Perez said Guzman Lopez “forcibly kidnapped” Zambada and brought him to the United States against his will.
