Sinaloa, November 14 (RHC-teleSUR) -- Mexican authorities confirmed that Ismael Zambada, son of the powerful Sinaloa cartel leader of the same name, was detained last Wednesday in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, near its capital Culiacan.

An elite Mexican army unit carried out a land and air operation in the Sinaloan area called El Salado, which has been a Zambada stronghold for decades and which is a few hours south of Culiacan, resulting in the arrest of the Zambada kingpin.

According to local news reports, 'Mayito Gordo' was immediately taken to Mexico City where he is being interrogated by anti-narcotics officials of the Attorney General's office.

'Mayito Gordo's father, El Mayo Zambada, is believed to have taken control of the Sinaloa cartel after Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman's arrest in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, in February of this year. Guzman was the most sought after criminal in the world and is wanted by the U.S.

“Mayito Gordo is Mayo Zambada's third son to be arrested for drug trafficking in the last five years. Vicente Zambada, known as “Vicentillo” had been gradually taking over his father's drug trafficking business before being arrested in Mexico City in 2009 and extradited to the United States to face various drug trafficking charges in Chicago and New York.

Serafin “El Flaco” Zambada was detained last year when crossing into the United States through Nogales, Arizona. He now faces drug trafficking charges in San Diego, California.

There is a US$2.5 million reward in Mexico for information leading to the arrest of El Mayo Zambada and the United States is offering a US$5 million reward for him as well.