Drug Cartel Betrayal: El Mayo's Forced Flight

Mexican drug lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada was deceived by Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's son and forced onto a plane to the U.S. Zambada claims he was ambushed during a meeting with Guzman Lopez and Sinaloa officials. Both men have pleaded not guilty to U.S. drug-trafficking charges.

Mexican drug lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada was tricked and forcibly taken onto a plane bound for the United States by the son of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman last month, according to a statement released Saturday.

The statement, distributed by Zambada's lawyer, details the drug lord's account of how U.S. authorities captured him and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, believed to lead a separate faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, near El Paso, Texas. Zambada said he was 'ambushed' during what he thought was a meeting with Guzman Lopez and Sinaloa state officials, including Governor Ruben Rocha and Hector Cuen.

Once led into a dark room, Zambada claims he was attacked, tied up, and had a hood placed over his head before being taken to a nearby landing strip. He was then flown to the U.S. by Guzman Lopez. The Guzman family lawyer, however, asserts that Zambada's surrender was voluntary after negotiations with U.S. officials.

(With inputs from agencies.)