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, the Justice Department said. He had originally pleaded not guilty, but last week federal prosecutors wrote in a court filing that he intended to change his plea.

The Associated Press reported that in brief remarks in a court hearing Monday, 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

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