Washington, DC- Federal authorities have arrested 16 individuals and seized historic quantities of fentanyl, firearms, cash, and high-end vehicles across five states, effectively dismantling one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking organizations in U.S. history, officials announced Thursday.
Led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the multi-agency operation struck a major blow to the Sinaloa Cartel, seizing more than three million fentanyl pills and other illicit drugs in a coordinated takedown across New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.
“This historic drug seizure, led by the DEA, is a significant blow against the Sinaloa Cartel that removes poison from our streets and protects American citizens from the scourge of fentanyl,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle every cartel network operating illegally in the United States.”
Among the arrests was Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, identified as the leader of the drug trafficking operation. He was arrested at his residence in Salem, Oregon. He and 13 co-defendants face charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, with several others facing additional charges related to trafficking, firearm possession, and immigration violations.
In New Mexico alone, law enforcement seized approximately $610,000 in cash, nearly 400 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and 49 firearms—some of which were “ghost guns” or equipped with switches to function as automatic weapons. They also recovered cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and two luxury vehicles valued at $140,000.
Salem, Oregon: Agents confiscated more than $2.8 million in cash, jewelry valued at $50,000, and two luxury vehicles.
Layton, Utah: Authorities seized approximately $780,000 and a Dodge TRX Mammoth pickup worth $150,000.
Phoenix, Arizona: Seizures included $390,000, 72 pounds of meth, 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills, and other narcotics.
Las Vegas, Nevada: One undocumented individual was apprehended, along with $93,000 and a quantity of cocaine and methamphetamine.
“Behind the three million fentanyl pills we seized are destructive criminal acts thwarted and American lives saved,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “This wasn’t just a bust—it was a battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities.”
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico called the operation a “decisive step” in protecting families and reaffirmed the commitment to targeting cartel infrastructure nationwide.
During the operation, three additional individuals were arrested and charged by criminal complaint, including Phillip Lovato, 39, from Santa Fe, from whom agents seized 110,000 fentanyl pills. Roberta Herrera, 31, was charged after agents discovered over 365,000 fentanyl pills, heroin, cocaine, and 24 firearms in her apartment, where a minor child was also found. Misael Lopez Rubio, 25, was arrested in connection with 165.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills found in a storage unit.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA’s El Paso Division with assistance from the IRS Criminal Investigation and numerous federal, state, tribal, and local partners, including the Albuquerque Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, with support from offices in Oregon, Arizona, and Utah.
The takedown is part of Operation Take Back America, a Justice Department initiative focused on dismantling cartel networks, combating violent crime, and addressing illegal immigration through joint task force operations.
“This case represents DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date,” Murphy said. “We remind the cartels that DEA is relentlessly in pursuit and will not stop until we destroy your networks.”
You can view the full US DOJ criminal indictment here: LINK
An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: US DOJ
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