Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, alleged co-founder of Mexico’s notorious Sinaloa Cartel, made a rare court appearance in El Paso, Texas, on Thursday. The 70-year-old appeared in a wheelchair, wearing a navy sweatshirt emblazoned with “carpe diem” and an image of a soccer ball. He pleaded not guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges, marking his first status conference before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone.

During the brief 10-minute hearing, Judge Cardone designated the case as complex, allowing more time before the trial begins, and scheduled the next status conference for September 9. The details of Zambada’s arrest on July 25, which involved Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of infamous cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, were not discussed. U.S. officials allege that Guzman Lopez lured Zambada onto a plane under false pretenses, leading to his capture in the U.S.

Zambada’s attorney, Frank Perez, disputes this account, claiming that Guzman Lopez and armed men forcibly kidnapped Zambada from Culiacan in Sinaloa, Mexico. Perez suggested that Zambada’s back and leg issues were a result of this incident. Both Perez and co-counsel Ray Velarde declined to comment further on the arrest or Zambada’s health outside the courthouse, although they denied any medical significance of a wristband Zambada was seen wearing.

The arrest of Zambada and Guzman Lopez is considered a significant achievement for U.S. law enforcement and could impact the criminal dynamics in Mexico. Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in Chicago federal court, while El Chapo remains imprisoned in Colorado. A lawyer for the Guzman family denies the kidnapping allegations against Guzman Lopez, disputing the U.S. narrative.

Zambada faces multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy and murder related to drug trafficking in a 2012 Texas case. Prosecutors allege the cartel kidnapped and murdered individuals linked to drug shipments. Additionally, Zambada faces charges in four other federal jurisdictions, including Brooklyn, where El Chapo was tried. In Brooklyn, Zambada is accused of conspiring to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a key factor in the ongoing opioid epidemic in the U.S.