PHOENIX — Federal officials announced Tuesday that 16 individuals were arrested and over 400 kilograms of fentanyl were seized in what authorities are calling the largest fentanyl bust in DEA history. The operation, which targeted a major Sinaloa Cartel trafficking network, resulted in the seizure of drugs, cash, firearms, and vehicles in coordinated raids across multiple states.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the historic seizure delivers a major blow to the Sinaloa Cartel and removes large quantities of fentanyl from American streets.
“This Department of Justice will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle every cartel network operating illegally in the United States,” Bondi said.
Search warrants executed across New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada led to the following seizures:
Albuquerque, NM
$610,000 in cash
49 firearms (including ghost guns and some with illegal modifications)
396 kg of fentanyl pills, 11.5 kg of fentanyl powder
Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and high-value vehicles
Salem, OR
$2.8 million in cash
Jewelry worth $50,000
Two high-end vehicles
Layton, UT
$780,000 in cash
Dodge TRX Mammoth truck
Phoenix, AZ
$390,000 in cash
72 lbs. of methamphetamine, 13 kg of fentanyl pills, heroin, and cocaine
Las Vegas, NV
$93,000 in cash
Cocaine and methamphetamine
One undocumented individual apprehended
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison said the bust removed millions of lethal fentanyl doses from the streets.
“We have dismantled one of the largest and most dangerous fentanyl trafficking organizations in U.S. history,” Ellison said.
DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy said the seizure of three million fentanyl pills marks the largest in DEA history and sends a strong message to cartel operatives.
“This wasn’t just a bust — it was a battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities,” Murphy said.
Charges and Arrests
Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, was identified as the ringleader and faces conspiracy and immigration-related charges. Others indicted include Cesar Acuna-Moreno, Bruce Sedillo, Vincent Montoya, David Anesi, George Navarette-Ramirez, Alex Anthony Martinez, Jose Luis Marquez, Nicholas Tanner, Brian Sanchez, Kaitlyn Young, Alan Singer, and David Altamirano Lopez. Charges include conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute.
Three additional individuals were arrested during the operation:
Phillip Lovato, 39: Charged after 110,000 fentanyl pills were found in his Santa Fe stash house.
Roberta Herrera, 31: Agents seized 365,000 fentanyl pills, heroin, cocaine, and 24 firearms from her apartment, where a minor child was present.
Misael Lopez Rubio, 25: Authorities found 165.5 kg of fentanyl pills in a storage unit he rented.
The investigation was led by the DEA El Paso Division with assistance from multiple federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices in New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, and Utah are assisting with prosecutions.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at dismantling cartels, eliminating transnational criminal organizations, and reducing violent crime.
