Ex-Mexican cartel leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia on Monday pleaded guilty to federal charges related to his role as a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, including drug trafficking, gun offenses and money laundering.

Zambada pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of running a continuing criminal enterprise, according to the Associated Press.. He had originally pleaded not guilty, but last week federal prosecutors wrote in a court filing that he intended to change his plea.

The AP reported that in brief remarks in Monday's hearing, Zambada apologized for his actions.

"I recognize the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico," he said through a Spanish-language interpreter, the AP reported. "I apologize for

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