Federal agents dismantle one of the most dangerous fentanyl trafficking operations in U.S. history in a six-month investigation.
In a record-breaking anti-drug operation spanning five states, the U.S. Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the arrest of 16 members of the Sinaloa Cartel, including its alleged ringleader, Heriberto Salazar Amaya, and the largest fentanyl seizure in DEA history.
Described by U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi as a “historic victory” in the nation’s war on fentanyl, the massive takedown resulted in the confiscation of over 3 million fentanyl pills, 400 kilograms of fentanyl, and millions in cash, firearms, and luxury vehicles.
“This case represents the DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “Behind the three million pills are destructive criminal acts thwarted and American lives saved. This wasn’t just a bust—it was a battlefield victory.”
The six-month investigation culminated in coordinated raids across New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah, and included the following seizures:
Albuquerque, NM:
- 396 kg of fentanyl pills
- 11.5 kg of fentanyl powder
- 49 firearms, including ghost guns and weapons with auto switches
- $610,000 in cash
- Methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine
- Two luxury vehicles (Ford Raptor and GMC Denali)
Phoenix, AZ:
- 13 kg of fentanyl pills
- 72 pounds of methamphetamine
- $390,000 in cash
- Cocaine and heroin
Salem, OR:
- $2.8 million in cash
- $50,000 in jewelry
- Mercedes AMG and Ford F-150 Shelby valued at $150,000
Layton, UT:
- $780,000 in cash
- Dodge TRX Mammoth truck worth $150,000
Las Vegas, NV:
- $93,000 in cash
- Cocaine, methamphetamine
- One undocumented individual arrested and deported
Sixteen individuals face federal charges for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, with seven facing additional distribution charges. Several are also charged with firearm possession and immigration violations:
- Heriberto Salazar Amaya (leader) faces conspiracy and immigration-related charges, including illegal reentry after deportation and harboring unauthorized aliens.
- Bruce Sedillo faces firearm-related charges in connection to drug trafficking.
- Cesar Acuna-Moreno, Kaitlyn Young, Francisco Garcia, and others face distribution charges.
Three additional suspects were arrested in separate but related busts:
- Phillip Lovato: 110,000 fentanyl pills seized in Santa Fe, NM
- Roberta Herrera: 365,000 fentanyl pills, heroin, cocaine, 24 firearms seized in her apartment
- Misael Lopez Rubio: 165.5 kg of fentanyl pills found in a storage unit
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a DOJ initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations. Agencies involved included:
- DEA El Paso Division
- U.S. Marshals Service
- FBI
- Local and tribal police departments across five states
- IRS Criminal Investigation
“Our communities are safer today because of the tireless dedication and coordination among federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison of New Mexico. “This marks a decisive step in protecting families across the western United States.”
Attorney General Bondi emphasized the administration’s zero-tolerance approach:
“More arrests are coming. More seizures are coming. These traffickers better watch out—we’re not negotiating.”
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 34, according to Bondi. The drug—often trafficked from Mexico using Chinese chemical precursors—kills 75,000 Americans annually.
Authorities intend to prosecute the defendants in U.S. federal court and hold them in maximum-security prisons rather than deport them. Some may face life sentences.
“Because of the volume of drugs, money, and weapons involved, most of these individuals—if convicted—will remain in U.S. prisons, possibly even in Alcatraz,” Bondi stated.
