(The Center Square) – A multi-agency operation targeting the Sinaloa Cartel in five states led to the largest seizure of fentanyl in U.S. history.
The operation targeted a drug trafficking network in the U.S. orchestrated by the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, “one of the largest and most dangerous and foreign terrorist organizations in our country,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said. In February, the Trump administration designated the Sinaloa Cartel and other transnational criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations, The Center Square reported.
“The DEA seized 11.5 kilos of fentanyl including an astounding approximately 3 million fentanyl pills, the largest seizure in our nation’s history,” Bondi said.
Federal agents also arrested a Sinaloa Cartel leader, Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, who was living illegally in the U.S. in Salem, Oregon. Six of those arrested in the operation were living in the U.S. illegally, Bondi said.
Authorities arrested 16 people overall and seized “record-breaking quantities of fentanyl, cash, firearms, and vehicles across multiple states, dismantling one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking organizations in U.S. history.”
“By dismantling one of the largest and most dangerous fentanyl trafficking organizations in U.S. history, we have removed millions of lethal doses from our streets and sent a clear message: those who profit from poisoning our citizens will be held accountable,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico said. “The fight continues, but this operation marks a decisive step in protecting families across the western United States.”
“This wasn’t just a bust – it was a battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities,” DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy said. “This case represents DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date.”
Those arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl include Salazar Amaya, as well as Cesar Acuna-Moreno, 27, Bruce Sedillo, 26, Vincent Montoya, 35, Francisco Garcia, 27, David Anesi, 42, George Navarette-Ramirez, 25, Alex Anthony Martinez, Jose Luis Marquez, Nicholas Tanner, Brian Sanchez, Kaitlyn Young, Alan Singer, and David Altamirano Lopez are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Salazar Amaya faces three immigration-related charges: “illegal reentry after deportation, hiring an unauthorized alien, and conspiracy to harbor unauthorized aliens.”
Seven defendants – Cesar Acuna-Moreno, Brian Sanchez, Kaitlyn Young, Alan Singer, Bruce Sedillo, Francisco Garcia, and Nicholas Tanner – face additional charges of distributing fentanyl. Marquez and Sedillo were also charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Sedillo was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Three additional individuals were arrested and charged as part of the operation.
After federal agents seized approximately 110,000 fentanyl pills from a Santa Fe, New Mexico, stash house, Phillip Lovato, 39, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking.
Federal agents seized approximately 365,000 fentanyl pills, 1,543.5 grams of heroin, 569.9 grams of cocaine, and 24 firearms from defendant Roberta Herrera’s apartment, where they also encountered a child, authorities said. Herrera was charged with multiple drug charges, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, and a firearm charge related to a drug trafficking crime.
They also seized approximately 165.5 kilos of fentanyl pills from a storage unit rented by defendant Lopez Rubio. He faces several drug trafficking charges.
Search warrants in five states led to the following seizures by law enforcement:
Albuquerque, New Mexico: 396 kilos of fentanyl pills, 11.5 kilos of fentanyl powder, 1.5 kilos of cocaine, 3.5 kilos of heroin, 7 pounds of methamphetamine, 49 firearms, including ghost guns, vehicles valued at $140,000 and more than $610,000 in cash.Salem, Oregon: more than $2.8 million in U.S. currency, jewelry valued at $50,000, vehicles valued at $150,000;Layton, Utah: approximately $780,000 in U.S. currency and one vehicle worth $150,000;Phoenix, Arizona: 72 pounds of methamphetamine, 13 kilos of fentanyl pills, 2.4 pounds of heroin, 5 kilograms of cocaine, $390,000 in U.S. currency;Las Vegas, Nevada; 2.7 kilos of cocaine, one pound of methamphetamine, more than $93,000 in U.S. currency as well as one criminal illegal foreign national apprehended and removed.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation, including the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, DEA El Paso Division, Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Lea County Drug Task Force, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, Isleta Police Department, Laguna Pueblo Police Department, Pojoaque Police Department and Sandoval County Sheriff’s Department.
