The kidnapping of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada on July 25, 2024, and his rendition to New Mexico, where he was handed into U.S. agents, is one of the craziest events in decades of crazy cartel wars in Mexico. It has huge implications, sparking a Sinaloa Cartel civil war, that has seen more than 3,800 murders, 4,400 kidnappings and 211 people shot dead by soldiers in the state in two years.
Yet there is still much we need to learn about the incident, and especially the role of U.S. agents. Joe Hefferon, a former New Jersey police captain, conducted an excellent investigation, which I discuss with him on this episode of the CrashOut podcast, and you can also read here. He discovers fascinating info that point to a wider role of U.S. federal agents in what they have already said was called “Operation Air Kings.” The most important findings include -
The tail number of the Beechcraft King Air that transported Mayo was cloned from a New Mexico company but also used in another plane in Brazil. This suggests use of the number in federal government operations.
A military plane landed in the Doña Ana County airfield shortly before the landing of Mayo.
Wording of a U.S. government message about “a highly complex, secretive, and daring arrest” suggests a much bigger role than simply arresting Mayo off the plane.
You can watch the fascinating interview with Hefferon above on video, read the transcript, or listen to the pure audio below.
Also, on another September 11, a moment of remembrance for the victims of that horrific attack a quarter of a century ago.
Copyright Ioan Grillo and CrashOut Media 2026
