Federal authorities on Tuesday, May 6, announced that they have arrested 16 individuals and seized record-breaking quantities of fentanyl, cash, firearms, and vehicles across multiple states, dismantling “one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking organizations in U.S. history.”
The bust included raids at multiple locations across the nation, including Salem, Ore.
“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 U.S. 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.”
As part of the operation, law enforcement executed coordinated search warrants across five states, resulting in the following seizures:
— Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice
Salem, Ore.
- More than $2.8 million in U.S. currency
- Jewelry valued at approximately $50,000
- A Mercedes AMG and Ford F-150 Shelby valued at approximately $150,000
Albuquerque, N.M.:
- Approximately $610,000 in U.S. currency
- 49 firearms, some with switches, and some ghost guns
- 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
- A Ford Raptor and GMC Denali Two vehicles valued at approximately $140,000
— Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice
Layton, UT:
- Approximately $780,000 in U.S. currency
- A Dodge TRX Mammoth valued at approximately $150,000
Phoenix, AZ:
- Approximately $390,000 in U.S. currency
- 72 pounds of methamphetamine
- 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills
- 2.4 pounds of heroin
- 5 kilograms of cocaine.
Las Vegas, NV:
- Illegal alien apprehended and removed
- More than $93,000 in U.S. currency
- 2.7 kilograms of cocaine
- 1 pound of methamphetamine
— Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice
“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 organizations in U.S. history, we have removed millions of lethal doses from our streets and sent a clear message: those who profit from poisoning our citizens will be held accountable. The fight continues, but this operation marks a decisive step in protecting families across the western United States.”
“Behind the 3 million fentanyl pills we seized are destructive criminal acts thwarted and American lives saved. This wasn’t just a bust—it was a battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “This case represents DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date. I commend the men and women of DEA for their extraordinary work, day in and day out, and I remind the cartels that DEA is relentlessly in pursuit and will not stop until we destroy your networks.”
Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, is the leader of the drug trafficking organization, authorities said. He, along with Cesar Acuna-Moreno, 27, Bruce Sedillo, 26, Vincent Montoya, 35, David Anesi, 42, George Navarette-Ramirez, 25, Alex Anthony Martinez, Jose Luis Marquez, Nicholas Tanner, Brian Sanchez, Kaitlyn Young, Alan Singer, and David Altamirano Lopez are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Oregon House Republican Leader Christine Drazan issued a statement in which she noted that Amaya was “an illegal immigrant living in Salem,” “whom authorities say had been removed from the U.S. twice already.”
Seven defendants face additional charges of distributing fentanyl: Cesar Acuna-Moreno, Brian Sanchez, Kaitlyn Young, Alan Singer, Bruce Sedillo, and Nicholas Tanner.
Jose Luis Marquez and Bruce Sedillo are each charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Bruce Sedillo is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Heriberto Salazar Amaya faces three additional immigration-related charges: illegal reentry after deportation, hiring an unauthorized alien, and conspiracy to harbor unauthorized aliens.
During the operation, three additional individuals were arrested and charged by criminal complaint:
- Phillip Lovato, 39: On April 29, agents seized approximately 110,000 fentanyl pills from Lovato’s stash house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Lovato is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking.
- Roberta Herrera, 31; On April 28, agents seized approximately 365,000 pills fentanyl pills, 1,543.5 grams of heroin, 569.9 grams of cocaine, and 24 firearms from Herrera’s apartment. Agents also encountered a minor child at the location. Herrera is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
- Misael Lopez Rubio, 25; on April 28, agents seized approximately 165.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills from a storage unit rented by Lopez Rubio. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico and Special Agent in Charge Omar Arellano of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, made the announcement Tuesday.
The DEA’s El Paso Division investigated this case with assistance from the IRS Criminal Investigation. The following law enforcement agencies participated in the law enforcement operation: Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Lea County Drug Task Force, United States Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, Isleta Police Department, Laguna Pueblo Police Department, Pojoaque Police Department and Sandoval County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew McGinley, Blake Nichols and Raquel Ruiz-Velez for the District of New Mexico are prosecuting the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Multiple Oregon Republican legislators issued statements on the bust, criticizing Oregon’s permissive policies on immigration and praising federal authorities for the action.
“Oregon shouldn’t be a sanctuary for criminals who flood our communities with deadly drugs and violent crime,” said Drazan (R-Canby). “Today should be a wakeup call that if we don’t modernize our sanctuary state laws, Oregon will continue to be a haven for dangerous criminals instead of taking them off our streets.”
“Why is it that anytime Oregon is number one in something, it’s always bad?” asked Rep. Jeff Helfrich (R, Hood River). “First in homelessness, then in addiction, and now, apparently, first in attracting international drug cartels. While this massive drug bust is a law enforcement victory, it’s also a damning indictment of our state’s failed leadership.“The fact that the Sinaloa cartel set up shop in Oregon, and from there trafficked enough deadly fentanyl to kill everyone in Portland isn’t an accident; it’s the direct result of the soft on crime, pro-illegal immigration policies that the majority party has forced on Oregon for decades.”“Oregon should immediately end our sanctuary state policies and work with federal law enforcement to deport these dangerous criminals and stop the flow of drugs over our border. Anything less is an endorsement of cartels operating with impunity within our borders, and acceptance of the thousands of drug-related fatalities that will follow.”This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
View Lovato’s Criminal Complaint
View Herrera’s Criminal Complaint
View Lopez Rubio’s Criminal Complaint
Note: 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.