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Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Feds announce ‘largest fentanyl bust' in U.S. history
The U.S. Department of Justice said cash and drugs, pictured here, were seized in Santa Fe and Albuquerque New Mexico in the country's largest ever fentanyl bust in April, 2025 (Courtesy U.S. District Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico) The U.S. government on Tuesday announced drug trafficking and conspiracy charges against 17 people in what U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi is calling the 'largest fentanyl bust in our nation's history.' At a news conference in Washington D.C., U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Ryan Ellison said prosecutors have filed conspiracy, illicit fentanyl distribution, firearms and immigration charges as a result of the bust. He also said the alleged drug trafficking organization is 'one of the largest and most dangerous fentanyl operations in United States history' — spanning New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah — and distributes drugs 'throughout the western United States.' 'We will not tolerate those who profit from poisoning American citizens,' Ellison said. Bondi said the organization is affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel operating out of Mexico, and when authorities arrested its alleged leader, Heriberto Salazar Amaya, they found millions of dollars in cash and vehicles. She said he 'insulated himself' from the drugs, which agents found in Albuquerque, Phoenix and Utah. Asked for specifics on how the defendants were captured, Bondi said the investigation is ongoing and she won't reveal police sources or methods. The U.S. Department of Justice said cash and drugs, pictured here, were seized in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the country's largest ever fentanyl bust in April, 2025 (Courtesy U.S. District Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico) DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy noted that the organization's drug distribution had 'probably caused' someone to die. Overall, authorities seized 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder; approximately $4.4 million in cash; approximately 79 pounds of methamphetamine; approximately 7.5 kilograms of cocaine; approximately 4.5 kilograms of heroin; approximately 41 firearms; and approximately 4.1 million fentanyl pills, according to court records. Ellison said in Albuquerque alone, police found 2.7 million fentanyl pills; 11.5 kilograms of 'concentrated fentanyl powder;' seven pounds of methamphetamine; 'multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine;' 41 firearms; more than $600,000 in cash and 'numerous luxury vehicles.' In Layton, Utah, authorities seized approximately $780,000 and a Dodge TRX Mammoth valued at approximately $150,000, according to a news release. 'When we catch you — all of these individuals, if convicted, we will put you behind bars,' Bondi said. 'There will be no negotiating, and we will lock you up for as long as humanly possible. We will not negotiate with those who are killing our family members including brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, parents, friends.' DOJ prosecuting, not deporting, defendants who aren't citizens Bondi said six of the people charged are living in the U.S. unlawfully. A detention order for Lopez-Rubio indicates that he will be held until trial, in part, because he lacks legal status in the U.S. and is subject to removal or deportation after any prison sentence. When asked how she's deciding whether to prosecute or deport any defendants who lack U.S. citizenship, Bondi said it's based on their potential prison sentences, if they're convicted. 'I want them to stay in our prisons as long as possible,' Bondi said. 'There's a very big risk — we all know — releasing someone, especially to Mexico. Sending them back to Mexico, who knows, they could attempt to get through our borders. Not under Donald Trump, I doubt. But they're also part of a major drug trafficking ring in Mexico, so sending them back to Mexico to continue on with their drug business isn't going to happen under this administration.' Source New Mexico is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Goldberg for questions: info@
Sunday World
07-05-2025
- Sunday World
Three million Fentanyl pills seized in largest bust in US history
RECORD HAUL | 16 people were arrested as drugs, cash and guns were seized The bust, which is said to be a 'significant blow' to the Sinaloa Cartel, as law enforcement executed coordinated search warrants across multiple states, resulting in the seizure of over three million fentanyl pills. DEA Fentanyl seizure video DOJ news conference In Albuquerque, New Mexico, officers seized approximately $610,000, 49 firearms,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. More than $2.8 million, $50,000 worth of jewellery and two vehicles worth approximately $150,000 were seized in Salem, Oregon, while Approximately $780,000 and a Dodge TRX Mammoth valued at approximately $150,000 were seized in Layton, Utah. Guns seized in Albuquerque, New Mexico Cash seized in Salem, Oregon Cops seized $390,000, 72 pounds of methamphetamine, 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 2.4 pounds of heroin and 5 kilograms of cocaine in Phoenix, Arizona. Meanwhile, in the city of sin, Las Vegas $93,000 in U.S. currency, 2.7 kilograms of cocaine and 1 pound of methamphetamine were seized with one 'illegal alien' apprehended and removed. Bruce Sedillo (26) is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distributing fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Leader of the drug trafficking organisation, Heriberto Salazar Amaya (36) is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl along with 12 others. Six of those also face additional charges of distributing fentanyl, with one also charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Read more Heriberto Salazar Amaya also faces three additional immigration-related charges: illegal re-entry after deportation, hiring an unauthorised alien, and conspiracy to harbour unauthorised aliens. During the operation, three more individuals were arrested and charged by criminal complaint. Phillip Lovato (39) faces two drug charges after agents seized approximately 110,000 fentanyl pills from his stash house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Meanwhile, Roberta Herrera (31) faces five charges following the seizure of 365,000 pills fentanyl pills, 1,543.5 grams of heroin, 569.9 grams of cocaine, and 24 firearms from his apartment. 25-year-old Misael Lopez Rubio is facing two drug charges upon the seizure of approximately 165.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills from a rented storage unit. Drugs seized in Albuquerque, NM '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 for the District of New Mexico. 'By dismantling one of the largest and most dangerous fentanyl trafficking organisations in U.S. history, we have removed millions of lethal doses from our streets.' Attorney General Pamela Bondi added: '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. 'This Department of Justice will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle every cartel network operating illegally in the United States.' The bust is part of the 'Operation Take Back America', a US Department of Justice initiative 'to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organisations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.' Cash and Drugs seized in Santa Fe, New Mexico The News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, 7th of May
