(NewsNation) — A former cartel member who once served as a top U.S. drug distributor for Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel is speaking out about his experiences and the recent arrest of cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
Margarito “Jay” Flores Jr. and his twin brother Pedro were raised in the drug trade from childhood. In an interview, Margarito described how their father first took them to Mexico at age 8 to help smuggle drugs across the border.
By 17, the brothers were negotiating directly with cartel representatives. They eventually became the main U.S. distributors for the Sinaloa cartel, working closely with notorious kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
“We risked our life every day in order to do wrong,” Margarito said Sunday on “NewsNation Prime,” explaining their eventual decision to cooperate with U.S. authorities in 2008.
The brothers’ cooperation led to indictments against top cartel leaders, including Guzman and Zambada. Margarito called Zambada’s recent arrest a “big win for the U.S. government.”
Despite serving prison time, Margarito says he still fears for his safety. He now works with law enforcement, viewing it as his “path for redemption.”
Reflecting on his cartel experiences, Margarito described witnessing “unspeakable violence” and betrayals among supposed allies.
“Eventually everyone tries to get out of that life,” he said.