A son of the infamous Mexican drug lord “El Chapo” has admitted guilt in U.S. drug trafficking charges, following his brother’s earlier plea agreement. Joaquín Guzmán López and his brother, Ovidio Guzmán López, known as the “Chapitos” in Mexico, are accused of leading a faction of the Sinaloa cartel. In 2023, federal authorities highlighted their involvement in a significant operation to smuggle large quantities of fentanyl into the United States.
Joaquín Guzmán López, 39, confessed to two counts of drug trafficking and running a criminal enterprise, acknowledging his role in overseeing the transportation of substantial drug quantities to the U.S., primarily through underground tunnels. By accepting the plea deal, he will evade a life sentence.
Security was heightened at the federal court in Chicago before the hearing, during which prosecutors outlined the events leading to Guzmán López’s dramatic arrest in the U.S. alongside another Sinaloa leader in July 2024.
During the court proceedings, Guzmán López, attired in an orange jumpsuit and matching shoes, made minimal remarks. When asked by U.S. District Judge Sharon Coleman about his occupation, he confirmed his involvement in drug trafficking. Coleman responded with a light-hearted comment, acknowledging his admission.
Prosecutors mentioned that if Guzmán López cooperates with the U.S. government, they would consider reducing the sentence attached to the charges. Nevertheless, he is set to face a minimum of 10 years in prison, according to Andrew Erskine, a representative for the federal government. The plea agreement prohibits Guzmán López from appealing his sentence.
Following the court session, Guzmán López’s defense attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, praised the fairness exhibited by U.S. and Mexican authorities. He expressed gratitude for the lack of interference by the Mexican government.
In another development, Joaquín Guzmán López admitted to facilitating the production and smuggling of various drugs into the U.S., including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl. These activities have contributed to a crisis leading to numerous overdose fatalities annually.
Furthermore, Guzmán López confessed to participating in the kidnapping of an unidentified individual, believed to be Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. The alleged kidnapping involved removing glass from a window, allowing others to seize the individual, place a bag over his head, and transport him on a plane under sedation.
Lichtman expressed intentions to pursue a reduced sentence for Guzmán López, emphasizing the significant impact any prison term would have on his client.
As part of a plea agreement, Ovidio Guzmán López, the first son of “El Chapo” to enter a plea deal, admitted to drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms offenses linked to his leadership within the cartel. Legal experts view this as a crucial development in the U.S. government’s efforts to investigate and prosecute Sinaloa cartel leaders.
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2019 for his role as the former head of the Sinaloa cartel. The Guzmán brothers are believed to have assumed leadership roles within the cartel after their father’s incarceration.