What is going on with the Sinaloa Cartel and Fentanyl Flow Since Mayo's Arrest

In a remarkable development, two of the most-wanted drug traffickers from the Sinaloa Cartel are now in U.S. custody, signifying a pivotal moment in the battle against organized crime in Mexico.

In late July, U.S. officials confirmed the arrest of Joaquin Guzman Lopez, 38, son of El Chapo Guzman and a key figure in the Sinaloa cartel. However, the most significant capture is that of 76-year-old El Mayo Zambada, indicted by U.S. authorities in 2009 with a $15 million bounty on his head. As one of the most influential drug lords in Mexico, and perhaps globally, his arrest marks a historic first. The duo faces multiple charges on allegations of leading some of the most powerful drug trafficking operations in the world, of which both have pled not guilty.

While much of the circumstances surrounding the arrest are unclear, including whether Zambada was “violently kidnapped” by his business partner and forced onto the U.S.-bound plane, the even bigger question remains: what impact, if any, do these high-profile arrests have on curbing the deadly flow of illicit drugs into the United States?