Cartel Leader's Son Arrested At Arizona Border

November 22, 2013

The son of a powerful Mexican drug cartel kingpin was arrested as he tried to enter the United States through Arizona on Wednesday.

Serafin Zambada Ortiz is the son of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, one of the godfathers of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel.

Amy Roderick, spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Administration in San Diego, confirmed his arrest and his relationship to the father.

A grand jury indicted Zambada Ortiz on methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking charges. Law enforcement sources reported he tried to come through the Nogales port of entry Wednesday evening along with a woman who was later released.

His father, El Mayo, is one of the founders of the Sinaloa Cartel and the United States has a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

Another of El Mayo's sons, Vicente Zambada Niebla, currently faces cocaine trafficking charges in Chicago.

Zambada Ortiz will appear in court in Tucson Monday. Saji Vettiyil is representing him.

"My client is 23 years old with an impeccable record and no criminal history," Vettiyil said. "My client is presumed to be innocent under the U.S. Constitution, and he has absolute faith in the U.S. legal system, and he looks forward to the day he can clear his name in a court of law."