(1/2) Investigative sources point to a money laundering network linked to Vicente Zambada in Culiacán
Culiacán, Sinaloa.
Investigative sources consulted by this outlet reveal the existence of a suspected money laundering and asset concealment network linked to Vicente Zambada, which would be operating in Culiacán through commercial companies, cash handling, real estate assets, and parallel activities, with the participation of a local business family.
According to the information obtained, the structure would be headed by Ernesto Zazueta and operated at different levels by his sons, Amado Zazueta and Miguel Zazueta, through businesses such as the store DROP SHOP and the jewelry store ZYQ, both currently under analysis by authorities and financial intelligence sources.
Family structure and operation of companies under scrutiny
According to the reports, Ernesto Zazueta is the father of Amado and Miguel Zazueta and would have been the one who established the network of personal, business, and asset-related relationships that is now under scrutiny.
The sources indicate that:
Amado Zazueta serves as the administrator of the store DROP SHOP, a business identified as a possible vehicle for the entry and distribution of resources of allegedly illicit origin, through commercial operations that are difficult to trace.
Miguel Zazueta would be in charge of the jewelry store ZYQ, a business sector considered high-risk for money laundering due to the handling of high-value items, cash payments, and the ease of justifying large revenues.
Both establishments would form part of a capital laundering strategy, combining sales, inventory movements, and transfers to give the appearance of legality to resources allegedly linked to the circle of Vicente Zambada.
Alleged money laundering and relationship with Vicente Zambada
Investigative sources maintain that the Zazueta family has a close, long-standing relationship with Vicente Zambada, which would have enabled their integration as financial operators and front men within his circle of trust.
As part of this alleged money laundering network, the following have been identified:
Frequent trips to Miami and other locations where Zambada is known to travel, coinciding with significant financial movements.
Current residence between Mexico City, the United States, and Culiacán, with these movements allegedly used to coordinate operations and safeguard assets.
The use of formal companies and real estate assets to conceal the true origin of the funds.
Aliases and parallel activities: wildlife as a line of investigation
The same sources identify Ernesto Zazueta with the alias “El Gordo Animal,” a nickname associated with his alleged involvement in activities related to the trafficking of exotic animals.
Within this line of inquiry, his link to El Zafarí stands out, described as a private zoo where various species were kept outside the framework of traditional public exhibition. According to the reports, this space would have been used for the shelter, handling, and possible irregular transfer of wildlife—an activity also being analyzed for its potential use as an alternative money laundering mechanism, given the difficulty in valuing and auditing this type of asset.