From Drug Mule to Key Operator: The Rise and Fall of Mauro Alberto Núñez Ojeda, 'Jando,' in the Sinaloa Cartel
In July 2024, a private jet landed at an airport near El Paso, carrying Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of the notorious Sinaloa cartel leader "El Chapo," along with his godfather Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and a pilot. The pilot, Mauro Alberto Núñez Ojeda, also known as "Jando," was a key member of the Chapitos organization, serving as the commander of the cartel's air force. He played a significant role in the abduction of Zambada and was trusted by El Chapo's sons to execute sensitive missions for the cartel.
Jando, now 32, started as a low-level drug mule before rising through the ranks of the Chapitos faction. He underwent flight training and became a pilot for the cartel, managing a fleet of aircraft and personnel. He was involved in flying senior cartel members to meetings, evading capture, and delivering large shipments of cocaine. Jando was instrumental in the kidnapping of Zambada and played a role in the conflict between Los Chapitos and Zambada's cartel faction.
After the kidnapping, Jando returned to Mexico and continued working for Los Chapitos. He was reportedly involved in dropping explosives on Zambada strongholds in Durango state, using a small aircraft for the attacks. Jando was captured in February 2025 after a shootout with Mexican security forces in Culiacán. He was identified as a pilot and key operator in the Sinaloa cartel by Mexico's federal security forces. Jando was later transferred to the U.S. Department of Justice for prosecution along with other high-ranking cartel members.
Jando pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges in April and faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. Prosecutors have requested a maximum sentence of 30 years for him. While his plea agreement does not mention cooperation, it is presumed that he could be a key witness if Guzmán Salazar, the ringleader of the cartel, stands trial in the U.S. Jando's role in the cartel's operations and his involvement in the Zambada kidnapping have brought him from a drug mule to a trusted advisor, potentially leading to a significant impact on the cartel's leadership.