By Steve Neavling
Federal agents arrested 16 people and seized “record-breaking quantities” of fentanyl, weapons, and cash in a multi-state crackdown on a drug trafficking operation tied to the Sinaloa Cartel, officials announced Tuesday.
The sweeping investigation, led by the DEA and supported by dozens of federal, state, tribal, and local agencies, is being described as one of the most significant fentanyl cases in U.S. history.
“This historic drug seizure 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.”
Authorities executed search warrants in five states, uncovering vast amounts of drugs, weapons, and high-end property:
- In Albuquerque, agents seized nearly 400 kilograms of fentanyl pills, more than $600,000 in cash, 49 firearms—including ghost guns and weapons with switches—along with heroin, cocaine, meth, and vehicles valued at $140,000.
- In Salem, Oregon, law enforcement recovered over $2.8 million in cash, $50,000 in jewelry, and luxury vehicles worth $150,000.
- In Layton, Utah, officials seized $780,000 and a Dodge TRX Mammoth truck.
- In Phoenix, 72 pounds of methamphetamine, 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills, heroin, cocaine, and nearly $400,000 in cash were confiscated.
- In Las Vegas, an undocumented immigrant was apprehended, and officers seized over $93,000, cocaine, and meth.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison of New Mexico. “This operation marks a decisive step in protecting families across the western United States.”
DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy called the case the agency’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date.
“Behind the three million fentanyl pills we seized are destructive criminal acts thwarted and American lives saved,” Murphy said. “This wasn’t just a bust—it was a battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities.”
Authorities identified Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, as the alleged ringleader of the drug trafficking organization. He and 14 others are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, including Cesar Acuna-Moreno, Bruce Sedillo, Vincent Montoya, Francisco Garcia, David Anesi, George Navarette-Ramirez, Alex Anthony Martinez, Jose Luis Marquez, Nicholas Tanner, Brian Sanchez, Kaitlyn Young, Alan Singer, and David Altamirano Lopez.
Several face additional charges, including distribution, firearm offenses, and immigration-related crimes.
Three other individuals were charged by criminal complaint following recent arrests:
- Phillip Lovato, 39, is accused of possessing more than 110,000 fentanyl pills at a stash house in Santa Fe.
- Roberta Herrera, 31, allegedly kept more than 365,000 fentanyl pills, heroin, cocaine, and 24 firearms in an apartment where agents also found a minor child.
- Misael Lopez Rubio, 25, was arrested after agents found 165 kilograms of fentanyl pills in a storage unit he rented.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a DOJ initiative focused on dismantling transnational criminal organizations, combating illegal immigration, and reducing violent crime. Prosecutors from several U.S. Attorney’s Offices are working jointly on the case.
