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U.S. seeks to move “El Mayo” case to federal court in Brooklyn, as Mexico seeks more information on cartel arrests
Prosecutors aim to move Sinaloa drug cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada’s case to federal court in Brooklyn, as Mexico said they are seeking more information on the flight that led to the arrests of two suspected drug kingpins on American soil.
Zambada, known as a top leader and co-founder of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, faces charges in multiple U.S. locales. He and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of notorious Sinaloa kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, were arrested last month after being flown into New Mexico. Zambada has said he was kidnapped in his home country en route to what he thought was a meeting with a Mexican official.
Mexican officials said on Thursday they requested information from the U.S. Department of Justice on the flight that ferried Zambada and Guzman from Mexico to the U.S. Mexican officials sought the serial number of the aircraft, FAA records, customs and border authorization documents, and the advance passenger information document, among other items. Officials said the information has not yet been received.
Zambada, 76, has so far appeared in U.S. federal court in El Paso, Texas, which is in one of the jurisdictions where he has been indicted. He has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and other charges.
Federal prosecutors in Texas asked a court Thursday to hold a hearing to take the procedural steps needed to move him to the New York jurisdiction that includes Brooklyn, where the elder “El Chapo” Guzmán was convicted in 2019 of drug and conspiracy charges and sentenced to life in prison. El Chapo is serving a life sentence in a Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, which houses numerous high-profile inmates.
If prosecutors get their wish, the case against Zambada in Texas would proceed after the one in New York.
A message seeking comment was sent to Zambada’s attorneys.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn declined to comment. Zambada is charged there with running a continuing criminal enterprise, murder conspiracy, drug offenses and other crimes.
Meanwhile, Joaquín Guzmán López, the “El Chapo” son arrested with Zambada, has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges in a federal court in Chicago.
Zambada ran the Sinaloa cartel with the elder Guzmán as it grew from a regional presence into a huge manufacturer and smuggler of illicit fentanyl pills and other drugs to the United States, authorities say.
Considered a good negotiator, Zambada has been seen as the syndicate’s strategist and dealmaker, thought to be more involved in its day-to-day doings than the more flamboyant Guzmán.
Keeping a lower profile, Zambada had never been behind bars until his U.S. arrest last month.
He has often been at odds with Guzmán’s sons, dubbed the Chapitos, or Little Chapos. Fearful that Zambada’s arrest could trigger a violent power struggle within the cartel, the Mexican government quickly dispatched 200 special forces soldiers to the state of Sinaloa, and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador publicly pleaded with the cartel factions not to fight each other.
Federal authorities said “El Mayo” and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of the notorious kingpin El Chapo’s 12 children, were arrested near El Paso, Texas on July 25 without incident after flying from Mexico.
CBS News
Best mortgages for first-time homebuyers
Rising home prices and high mortgage rates haven’t made buying a home easy these last few years. In fact, with affordability such a challenge, it’s only made shopping around for a lender that much more important.
It’s true: Comparing lenders can make a big difference when it comes to price. According to Freddie Mac, getting just four different mortgage rate quotes can save you about $1,200 per year.
But rates aren’t the only thing you should think about when choosing a lender. Want to make sure you pick the best mortgage company for your needs? See below for some of the best lenders for first-time homebuyers currently on the market.
Lock in a low mortgage interest rate here today.
Best mortgages for first-time homebuyers
Here are the best mortgage lenders for first-time homebuyers, broken down into six categories:
Best for low down payments: Veterans United
Veterans United exclusively offers VA home loans — which means all its loans require zero down payment. Though you’re welcome to put some money down, VA loans are one of the few mortgage options with no down payment requirement.
There is a catch, though: You’ll need to be a current military member, veteran, or spouse of one to qualify. Certain service requirements must be met as well. If you can do it, though, you’ll save yourself money both upfront (on the down payment) and in the long haul, as VA loans tend to have lower interest rates than other loan options.
Learn more about Veterans United here now.
Best for good credit: US Bank
If you have decent credit, US Bank might be a good option for your mortgage. The lender offers conventional, FHA and VA loans, and its rates are some of the lowest of lenders we analyzed. You can also apply fully online and get valuable closing cost discounts if you use other US Bank services.
Best for low credit: Cardinal Financial
Cardinal Financial is a good option if your credit score is on the lower end. The lender allows for scores as low as 620 on conventional loans and 580 on FHA, VA, and USDA loans. There are also jumbo loans — if you’re buying in a high-priced market or eyeing a more expensive property — and construction loans for buyers looking to build their own homes from the ground up.
Best for no lender fees: Better.com
Most lenders charge a variety of fees for processing your mortgage. These might include an origination fee, application fee, underwriting fee, and more. With Better.com mortgages, you won’t see any of these charges. The online lender charges no lender-side fees for underwriting, servicing, or originating its mortgages. There are other typical closing costs, though.
Best for online borrowing: First Mortgage Direct
First Mortgage Direct is a fully digital mortgage lender that lets you manage your mortgage process from start to finish all on the web. You can get a rate quote online, fill out an application, submit your documentation, and even close digitally, too. The lender also offers many online resources to help you along the way — things like informative videos, calculators, articles and more.
Best overall: New American Funding
New American Funding has something for everyone: conventional loans, government-backed loans, jumbo loans, construction loans, non-QM loans and more. There are even loans with customizable terms and options that can turn you into an all-cash buyer to make you more competitive. The lender also has a 4.1-star rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot.
Always shop around
Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, shopping around for your mortgage is important. If you need help doing so, consider enlisting a mortgage broker. These professionals can shop around on your behalf, help you compare lenders and loan options and ensure you get the best rate.
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