Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, a key figure in the formation of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, has received a life sentence by a U.S. federal judge. Zambada, who co-founded the notorious criminal organization alongside Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, took over its leadership after Guzmán was captured in 2016.

The sentence was delivered on Monday during a session in New York. Zambada is now facing life in prison without the option of parole. This marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the operations of one of the most powerful drug cartels in the world.

An artist’s courtroom sketch by Elizabeth Williams captured the moment U.S. marshals escorted Zambada from the federal court. The case highlights the continued international collaboration in combating large-scale drug trafficking and organized crime.