Attorney General Pam Bondy announced on Tuesday what she called “the largest fentanyl bust in our country’s history,” detailing a coordinated effort across five states that resulted in the recovery of 11.5 kilos of fentanyl.
“This marks a significant victory in our ongoing battle against fentanyl and drug trafficking,” Bondy stated at a press conference, indicating that they were targeting a major and dangerous drug trafficking organization linked to foreign terror.
The multiagency investigation, which kicked off with undercover work and surveillance about six months ago, involved suspected drug trafficking operations in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Authorities also reported the seizure of 35 kg of methamphetamine, 7.5 kg of cocaine, 4.5 kg of heroin, and nearly 50 firearms.
“It was an incredible operation,” Bondy remarked. “Months of hard work were invested to take this significant load of drugs and weapons off our streets.”
A suspect, Helibert Salazar Amaya, was apprehended in Oregon. Notably, Bondy mentioned that at least six of those arrested were in the country illegally, but she does not plan to push for their deportation.
“They should serve their time in American prisons to ensure they aren’t back on the streets,” she explained to reporters. “They’ll likely face substantial time in prison, and we know the risks involved when releasing them, especially if they return to Mexico.”
“Under this administration, they won’t be sent back to Mexico to continue their drug operations,” she added.
Rob Murphy, the DEA’s lead assistant administrator, praised the collaborative efforts of investigators and undercover agents who worked together to dismantle operations disregarding the lives impacted by addiction and death.
Murphy expressed hope for further arrests and noted that the drugs originated from the Mexican cartel, which President Trump has identified as a terrorist organization earlier this year.
“This team managed to penetrate organizations at all levels, with insights on the drug routes into the US,” Murphy stated. “We will tackle them at every level and keep pushing forward.”
Trump has been addressing issues related to Latin American gangs, undocumented immigration, and the fentanyl crisis in his second term. He informed reporters aboard Air Force 1 on Sunday that he views the drug cartels as “trying to destroy our country.”
“They were responsible for numerous deaths and posed a significant threat. They profited greatly from drug sales, harming our communities,” the president remarked.
Bondy faced some laughter recently when she claimed during cabinet meetings that Trump’s initial 100-day campaign against fentanyl in his second term “saved… saved 258 million lives.” However, fact-checkers noted that figure represents about 75% of the US population.
