The lawyer for Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a powerful Mexican drug cartel leader now in U.S. custody, claimed Sunday that Zambada was “forcibly kidnapped” by Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, rather than willingly traveling to the U.S.

Zambada, who had evaded capture for decades, was arrested on Thursday in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, along with Guzmán López.

Frank Perez, Zambada’s attorney, asserted that Zambada was ambushed, restrained, and forced onto a plane by Guzmán López and several armed men.

This statement challenges claims from U.S. law enforcement that Zambada was tricked into flying to the U.S, ABC News has reported.

Zambada, 76, faces multiple drug trafficking charges in the U.S. and appeared in federal court in El Paso on Friday.

He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond. His next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Written by B.C. Begley