The United States Attorney's Office will evaluate the possible death penalty for Mayo Zambada

The United States Attorney's Office is evaluating the possibility of seeking the death penalty for Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada during his trial in New York. In a hearing presided over by Judge Brian Cogan, the seriousness of the crimes alleged against the drug dealer were discussed, according to Proceso. Prosecutors indicated that this sanction is an option that will be analyzed given the seriousness of the charges.

Prosecutors compared “El Mayo”'s crimes to those of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and emphasized that they included aggravating factors such as fentanyl trafficking and the continuation of his criminal activities into this year.

This Friday a second hearing was held in Brooklyn federal court, and another hearing is scheduled January 15 of the following year.

Zambada, one of the founders of the Sinaloa Cartel, faces 17 charges that include drug trafficking, organized crime and money laundering, crimes that carry life sentences or, potentially, the death penalty. Judge Cogan, who previously convicted “El Chapo” and recently sentenced Genaro García Luna to 38 years in prison, also heard the case.