The Mexican government said it has already responded to a request by Zambada's lawyer, Frank Perez, "in a timely manner"

Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada is seeking a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, his lawyer confirms.

Accused Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada is willing to plead guilty in a deal with prosecutors in the United States if the arrangement spares him from the death penalty, his lawyer told Reuters on Monday.

"Mr. Zambada doesn't want to go to trial and is willing to accept responsibility for a charge that doesn't carry out the death penalty," said the drug lord's lawyer Frank Perez