A massive fentanyl trafficking operation has been dismantled in the United States, resulting in the arrest of 16 individuals and the seizure of a record-breaking quantity of fentanyl. The operation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), targeted a large and dangerous drug trafficking organization linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, is the leader of the drug trafficking organization. He, along with Cesar Acuna-Moreno, 27, Bruce Sedillo, 26, Vincent Montoya, 35, 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.
Seven defendants face additional charges of distributing fentanyl: Cesar Acuna-Moreno, Brian Sanchez, Kaitlyn Young, Alan Singer, Bruce Sedillo, and Nicholas Tanner. Jose Luis Marquez and Bruce Sedillo are each charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Bruce Sedillo is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Heriberto Salazar Amaya faces three additional immigration-related charges: illegal reentry after deportation, hiring an unauthorized alien, and conspiracy to harbor unauthorized aliens.
During the operation, three additional individuals were arrested and charged by criminal complaint: Phillip Lovato, 39, on April 29, 2024, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lovato is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Over the course of the operation, law enforcement executed coordinated search warrants across five states, resulting in the following seizures:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico: Approximately $610,000 in U.S. currency, 49 firearms, some with switches, and some ghost guns, 396 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 3.5 kilograms of heroin, 7 pounds of methamphetamine, and two vehicles valued at approximately $140,000.
- Salem, Oregon: More than $2.8 million in U.S. currency, jewelry valued at approximately $50,000, and two vehicles valued at approximately $150,000.
- Layton, Utah: Approximately $780,000 in U.S. currency and a vehicle valued at approximately $150,000.
- Phoenix, Arizona: Approximately $390,000 in U.S. currency, 72 pounds of methamphetamine, 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 2.4 pounds of heroin, and 5 kilograms of cocaine.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: More than $93,000 in U.S. currency, 2.7 kilograms of cocaine, and 1 pound of methamphetamine.
This historic drug seizure is a significant blow against the Sinaloa Cartel and removes poison from our streets and protects American citizens from the scourge of fentanyl. The operation marks a decisive step in protecting families across the western United States.
The DEA’s Acting Administrator, Robert Murphy, stated that this case represents the DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date. He commended the men and women of the DEA for their extraordinary work and reminded the cartels that the DEA is relentlessly in pursuit and will not stop until they destroy their networks.
The Attorney General, Pamela Bondi, said that this historic drug seizure is a significant blow against the Sinaloa Cartel and removes poison from our streets and protects American citizens from the scourge of fentanyl. She emphasized that the Department of Justice will continue working with law enforcement partners to dismantle every cartel network operating illegally in the United States.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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