Chivis Martinez for Borderland Beat
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If plea negotiations are unsuccessful in the twin cases of José Rodrigo Arechiga, better known as "El Chino anthrax", and Serafin Zambada Ortiz, the cases will be tried together. It was during the 2 year investigation of Chino Antrax, that authorities were able to collect evidence against Zambada.
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Zamaba, arrested on November 13th, as he and his wife crossed into the US to shop for Christmas. His wife Karime Ellameli Torres Acosta, is the daughter of the late Manuel Torres. She was arrested with Zambada, but soon released.
Zambada, had a hearing scheduled last week, on September 15th,,Zambada’s attorneys requested a postponement because of the mountain of evidence presented to them by federal prosecutors.
Evidence that the attorney’s described as; tens of thousands of pages of hard drive transcription, and “millions” pages of wiretap intercepts.
Evidence that the attorney’s described as; tens of thousands of pages of hard drive transcription, and “millions” pages of wiretap intercepts.
Presiding Judge Dana M. Sabraw rescheduled the hearing for December 5th in federal court of the Southern District of California, in downtown San Diego.
"There is nothing more to add, except that the presentation of evidence will continue," said Justice Department spokesmen United States (USDOJ).
Zambada, 23, is the son of Sinaloa capo Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. It appears that the case may follow the template as that of Jesus Vicente Zambada Niebla “Vicentillo", the older brother of Serafin, in that Serafin is cooperating with authorities, as his brother before him.
In the case of Vincente Zambada, a plea agreement was reach, and it is expected agreements will also be reached in the twin cases in San Diego.
Vicente Zambada admitted coordinating smuggling tons of cocaine and heroin with "El Chapo" Joaquín Guzmán Loera and agreed to forfeit assets of $1.37 billion to the US government. The plea pargain results in a fine of $4 million and 10 years in prison. He is considered a critical potential witness against "El Chapo” should Chapo be extradited to the US for trial.
According to documents from the USDOJ, Serafin Zambada has three pending investigations in the U.S. , and is linked to at least 12 other unnamed defendants.