The son of a high-ranking member of Mexico's powerful Sinaloa cartel has asked that his charges be dismissed by the U.S. federal court, alleging he was granted immunity from the U.S. government as an informant.
Jesus Vincente "El Mayito" Zambada-Niebla is the son of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, right-hand man to Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, Mexico's most wanted criminal. "El Mayito" claims that he served as the role of "primary liason on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel to the United States government," a deal he says was "known and approved" by the Justice Department and cartel leaders in 2008, according to Reuters.
"El Mayito" was arrested two years ago in Mexico City, and extradited the U.S. just last year. He is now in Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago awaiting federal trial.
Jesus Vincente Zambada-Niebla pleaded guilty to his charges of trafficking cocaine and heroin and running bulk cash profits back to the cartel last February. His indictment alleges that his cartel ran quantities of between one and two tons of cocaine through the Chicago area. The indictment names Zambada's father, Guzman and others.
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The U.S. government has remained silent over the allegations. The have until Sept. 9 to file a public response with the court.
