“Mayito Flaco” is Located by the DEA in Mexico City; The Agency Issues a Wanted Notice

This is the updated wanted poster for Ismael Zambada-Sicairos, alias “El Mayito Flaco,” released this Wednesday, September 30, by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It reveals that he was last located in Mexico City and identifies him as being involved in a conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. 

The DEA has provided a telephone number—1-858-298-5670—and an email address—mfcsinaloatipline@dea.gov—so that anyone with information leading to “El Mayito’s” arrest can come forward. U.S. authorities are offering a $15 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Zambada-Sicairos, who holds dual Mexican-U.S. citizenship, having been born in Anaheim, California. 

This poster was released one day after the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against him and other leaders and companies linked to the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. In Tuesday’s statement, the Treasury identified “El Mayito” as the undisputed leader of this faction following the capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the United States for drug trafficking. 

It was revealed that he attempted to conceal his ties to the Sinaloa Cartel by legally changing his name in the United States to Fernando Sicairos Aispuro in 2001. In addition to drug trafficking, U.S. authorities have charged him with money laundering and hold him responsible for directing the group’s criminal activities, which include drug trafficking, murder, extortion, corruption, and kidnapping. 

According to the organizational chart revealed by the United States, the next figure in the leadership hierarchy is Gardo Gastelum García—alias “Aldo”—considered one of “El Mayito’s” most trusted advisors and a major drug trafficker who owns a Culiacán-based hotel chain; he uses his illicit revenue streams to finance the war against “Los Chapitos.” 

He is followed by brothers Jorge Luis Mendoza Uriarte (alias “Güero Chompas”) and Francisco Javier, both of whom work with “El Mayo”: the former leads a cell in Baja California, while the latter serves as Ismael Zambada’s secretary. 

Currently, according to the U.S. government, “Güero Chompas” serves as the head of security for the “Mayos” faction. Rounding out “El Mayito Flaco’s” inner circle is Lorenzo Castillo Maldonado, who works directly under “Güero Chompas” and provides protection for the new “Mayos” leader by hiring hitmen to assassinate rival cartel members in Southern California.

Source: El Universal