So far, Mexican and U.S. authorities have not officially confirmed the existence of these properties or how they were allegedly used.
For years, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada managed to remain out of the reach of authorities while living in Mexico. Although his name had been linked to the Sinaloa Cartel for decades, little was publicly known about the places where he stayed while in the state of Sinaloa. A recent journalistic investigation has brought the issue back into the spotlight, claiming that the drug trafficker allegedly did not live in a single residence but instead moved among several properties.
The information was revealed by security journalist José Luis Montenegro during an episode of the Narcomundo podcast. Based on testimony and information gathered during his investigations in Sinaloa, Montenegro stated that the former cartel leader allegedly used multiple homes, allowing him to change locations frequently.
According to Montenegro, this strategy enabled him to avoid staying in one place for extended periods. He also claimed that, within several communities in Sinaloa, it was widely known that Zambada regularly changed residences, although such information rarely became known outside the state.
To date, Mexican and U.S. authorities have not officially confirmed the existence of these properties or the manner in which they were allegedly used. The claims are based solely on the investigation conducted by José Luis Montenegro, who says he spent several years researching “El Mayo.”
The Five Locations Where “El Mayo” Allegedly Stayed
According to Montenegro’s account on the podcast, one of the best-known locations was a ranch in El Salado, a community long associated with the alleged presence of “El Mayo.” However, he stated that this ranch was only one part of a broader network of properties.
Montenegro claimed that the cartel leader also allegedly owned or used properties in Monteverde, Quilá, El Oso, and Cosalá, giving him access to at least five different locations spread across various municipalities in Sinaloa.
He further alleged that Zambada frequently traveled between these locations using Mexico Federal Highway 15 (the free highway), which, according to his investigation, allowed him to move between communities without attracting attention.
The Alleged Mobile Hospital and His U.S. Sentence
According to Montenegro’s report, “El Mayo” Zambada also allegedly had access to a tractor-trailer modified into a mobile hospital. He claimed that the unit was moved between different locations so the cartel leader could receive medical treatment for his health conditions—including dialysis sessions—without having to visit a conventional hospital.
These allegations emerged just days after Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was sentenced to life imprisonment in the United States for drug trafficking-related offenses. In addition to the life sentence, a U.S. court ordered the forfeiture of $15 billion, determining that the amount represented proceeds from his criminal activities.
During the sentencing hearing, the former Sinaloa Cartel leader accepted responsibility for multiple crimes, apologized to those affected by his actions, and urged young people not to follow a path of violence.
Source: heraldodemexico
