El Mayo’s Daughter, Mónica del Rosario Zambada Niebla, Is Arrested

A joint air-and-ground operation led by elements of the Navy and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection took residents of the district of El Salado—located in southern Culiacán, Sinaloa, near a ranch owned by drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada—by surprise.

The deployment of federal forces, which included Black Hawk helicopters, began around dawn in the community of El Álamo. 

In an informational briefing, the security cabinet stated that the operation involved a raid on a residence linked to a criminal cell belonging to the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel—a group led by a criminal figure identified by the alias “El 19.” 

During the raid, the cell leader’s chief bodyguard was apprehended, and firearms and narcotics were seized from his possession. The detainee was loaded onto a helicopter that had landed at the community’s elementary school, while a second, armed aircraft conducted overhead surveillance.

During this intervention, authorities also located a woman identified as Mónica del Rosario Zambada Niebla, daughter of “El Mayo” Zambada. She was found to have no involvement in criminal activities and faced no outstanding legal warrants. Shortly after she was released and handed over to her relatives in accordance with established protocols and in strict adherence to the law.

Throughout the operation, two aircraft maintained a low-altitude presence overhead, coordinating a perimeter cordon with armored vehicles patrolling the community’s streets. During the operation, some residents attempted to obstruct the actions of the federal forces.

Later, as a continuation of this operation, authorities located a property being used by members of a criminal cell affiliated with “Los Mayos.” Upon arriving at the site, naval personnel came under attack. While repelling the assault, a firefight ensued in which 11 criminals were killed.

Additionally, high-powered weaponry and tactical gear were seized. Following the operation, the security cabinet announced that it is maintaining an operational presence in the area and that the security deployment remains in effect with the objective of protecting the local population.

Source: NMás