Cells of the Sinaloa cartel were found operating in four major cities across the U.S. They have executed an extensive drug distribution initiative in the west, which has led federal authorities to uncover the largest fentanyl operation to date.
Documents from the U.S. Department of Justice indicate that this network, overseen by Highbert “Elpaisa” Salazar Amaya, an undocumented individual from Mexico, was one of the largest fentanyl and drug distribution systems in the country.
El Paisa managed operations from Salem, Oregon, while his network extended into Albuquerque, New Mexico; Leighton, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Recently, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration launched coordinated efforts against El Paisa’s network. This operation is associated with a set of criminal charges filed on July 1, 2024, claiming that the group plotted to distribute substantial amounts of fentanyl, mainly in pill form.
Authorities confiscated over 400 kilograms of fentanyl during these operations, along with 50 firearms, more than $4 million in cash, and several high-end vehicles.
In Albuquerque, the group used various courier services to distribute large quantities of fentanyl tablets. During the recent operation, law enforcement seized over 110,000 tablets.
Additionally, in another operation in New Mexico, officials recovered several Glock clone handguns with altered or missing serial numbers. Some of these weapons had modifications making them capable of firing automatically, as indicated in the criminal charges.
“This unprecedented drug operation spearheaded by the DEA represents a significant setback for the Sinaloa cartel, removing dangerous substances from our streets and safeguarding American lives from the fentanyl crisis,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi at a press briefing this week.
