The United States Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Tuesday (May 6) that American authorities have busted the largest fentanyl drug case in the country’s history, seizing 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl, including approximately 3 million fentanyl pills.
Bondi made the announcement at a press conference in Washington, D.C., stating, “This is the most significant victory in our nation’s fight against fentanyl and drug trafficking to date.” She added that this large-scale operation “targeted one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking and foreign terrorist organizations within our borders.”
In addition to fentanyl, authorities also confiscated around 35 kilograms of methamphetamine, 35 kilograms of crystal meth, 7.5 kilograms of cocaine, and 4.5 kilograms of heroin, along with $5 million in cash and 49 rifles and handguns.
The Attorney General mentioned that in this multi-state coordinated drug bust, law enforcement officers arrested sixteen drug traffickers, three of whom were women. Six male suspects were found to be residing illegally in the United States.
Bondi stated that the leader of the criminal organization, Alberto Salazar Amaya, was arrested by American authorities. He is a senior member of the Sinaloa Cartel, a major drug trafficking group in Mexico, and was residing in Salem, Oregon at the time of his arrest. The drugs were being distributed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Phoenix, Arizona, and Utah.
This operation was led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and involved cooperation from local, state, tribal, and federal partners.
Bondi noted that in terms of the amount of drugs seized, this operation marks the largest drug bust in American history. Law enforcement agencies conducted a six-month investigation across five western states, including Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah, to combat drug trafficking activities.
If the charges are proven, Bondi emphasized that the authorities will incarcerate the drug traffickers without the possibility of negotiation, ensuring they remain behind bars for as long as possible.
She explained that the six illegal immigrants arrested will not be deported back to Mexico because releasing them, especially back to Mexico, would pose significant risks in the future.
“Under this administration, sending them back to Mexico to continue their drug business is not an option,” Bondi added.