SANTA TERESA, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — A piece of cartel crime history is on display in the Borderland.

The private plane that brought Mexican drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of notorious narco leader “El Chapo” Guzman, to the U.S. to get arrested is now on display at the War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa.

On Wednesday, representatives from the War Eagles Air Museum announced that it had partnered with the El Paso FBI office to display the aircraft.

According to the museum, the idea behind the display is not to glorify crime stories, but to educate people.

In a statement, the War Eagles Air Museum Executive Director Vanessa Martinez wrote, “This aircraft tells a complex and important story. It demonstrates how aviation can be exploited by criminal organizations, how coordinated law enforcement efforts can stop those activities, and why vigilance across the aviation community matters.”

The exhibit includes a view inside the plane where people can see a collection of bags of chips and other highly caloric snacks strewn about the seats.

Julia Spencer reports on Narco history: plane used in arrest of two Mexican drug lords on display in Santa Teresa (Credit: KFOX14)

READ MORE: Mexican drug lords Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada and ‘El Chapo’s’ son arrested in El Paso

In July 2024, as Guzman Lopez later described in court, he kidnapped and forcefully brought Zambada into the country, zip-tied and sedated, believing that he was flying to look at some property in Mexico to possibly purchase.

But instead of landing in Mexico, the plane touched down in New Mexico at the Doña Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa —right next to the War Eagles Air Museum.

Shortly after landing, law enforcement took both men into custody.

In 2025, both men appeared to take responsibility for their criminal actions.

First, in August, Zambada pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and issued an apology in court, saying through a Spanish-language translator, “I recognize the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico. I apologize for all of it, and I take responsibility for my actions.”

RELATED: Former Sinaloa cartel boss ‘El Mayo’ Zambada pleads guilty to U.S. drug charges

Then, in December, Guzman Lopez avoided a life sentence by pleading guilty to drug charges.

Also in court, Guzman Lopez described how he kidnapped Zambada.

Both men are known to be Sinaloa cartel leaders, with Zambada being identified as one of its founders.

RELATED: Son of ‘El Chapo’ admits guilt in major US drug trafficking case, avoids life sentence

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