The manager of a local airport in a sleepy New Mexico town near the border with Mexico was told late last week that two “VIPs” were going to be arriving at the airport soon.
That’s an odd occurrence for the Dona Ana County International Jetport, which is located in the middle of the desert.
When the plane landed, law enforcement officials swarmed all around the tarmac.
That’s because the “VIPs” who were on the flight were a man known as “El Mayo” and another who is the son of “El Chapo.”
Ismael Zambada, better known as “El Mayo,” is one of the most dangerous drug kingpins in the world and until last week was one of the most elusive, too. Joaquin Guzman Lopez is the son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who was known as Zambada’s partner-in-crime.
Now, the two are in federal custody, but only after what is turning out to be a huge betrayal by one of El Chapo’s sons.
Initial media reports told mixed stories of what actually happened.
Later on Saturday, though, Frank Perez — a Dallas-based criminal defense lawyer who’s representing Zambada — cleared things up a bit. He told USA Today that his client didn’t board the plane on his own.
Instead, it was all part of a plea deal that El Chapo’s son negotiated with U.S. authorities to secure a better endgame for himself.
In a statement that was provided to USA Today exclusively, Perez said:
“My client neither surrendered nor negotiated any terms with the U.S. government. Joaquin Guzman Lopez forcibly kidnapped my client. He was ambushed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed by six men in military uniforms and Joaquin.”
The lawyer added his client’s “legs were tied, and a black bag was placed over his head. He was then thrown into the back of a pickup truck and taken to a landing strip.
“There, he was forced onto a plane, his legs tied to the seat by Joaquin, and brought to the U.S. against his will. The only people on the plane were the pilot, Joaquin and my client.”
The airplane apparently flew into the New Mexico from the south.
The lawyer was later interviewed by media outlets, telling them that Zambada had intended to meet a friend for breakfast. Instead of that person showing up, Guzman Lopez did along with others who helped him in the alleged kidnapping.
Zambada was caught off guard by the situation, as was his small security detail, which led to the drug kingpin being able to be kidnapped. The lawyer said that it turns out that “El Chapo’s” son is the one who set up that meeting in the first place.
Guzman Lopez hired Jeffrey Licthman as his lawyer in the case. When asked, he wouldn’t respond to any of those claims from Zambada’s lawyer, saying only:
“He’s free to employ any defense he sees fit to defend against the charges.”
The Department of Justice didn’t immediately respond to requests for comments about the case.
