DEA reports record-breaking amounts of fentanyl from drug trafficking operation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Sixteen people have been arrested after authorities say they seized record-breaking amounts of fentanyl, cash and other items from one of the largest drug trafficking operations in U.S. history.

According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, law enforcement executed search warrants across five states, including the following:

• Albuquerque, New Mexico: seizures included around $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 and a Ford Raptor and GMC Denali Two vehicles valued at approximately $140,000.
• Salem, Oregon: seizures included approximately $2.8 million in U.S. currency, jewelry valued at approximately $50,000 and a Mercedes AMG and Ford F-150 Shelby valued at approximately $150,000.
• Layton, Utah: seizures include approximately $780,000 in U.S. currency and a Dodge TRX Mammoth valued at approximately $150,000.
• Phoenix, Arizona: seizures included approximately $390,000 in U.S. currency, 72 pounds of methamphetamine, 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 2.4 pounds of heroin and 5 kilograms of cocaine.
• Las Vegas, Nevada: seizures included illegal alien apprehended and removed, more than $93,000 in U.S. currency, 2.7 kilograms of cocaine and 1 pound of methamphetamine.

“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 Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

According to the DEA, 36-year-old Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, is the leader of the drug trafficking organization. He, along with 27-year-old Cesar Acuna-Moreno, 26-year-old Bruce Sedillo, 35-year-old Vincent Montoya, 27-year-old Francisco Garcia, 42-year-old David Anesi, 25-year-old George Navarette-Ramirez, 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.

Seven defendants face additional charges of distributing fentanyl, including Acuna-Moreno, Sanchez, Young, Singer, Sedillo, Garcia and Tanner.

Marquez and Sedillo are each charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Sedillo is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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, was arrested on April 29 after agents seized around 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, was arrested April 28 after agents seized around 365,000 fentanyl pills, 1,543.5 grams of heroin, 569.9 grams of cocaine and 24 firearms from Herrera’s apartment. Agents say they also saw a 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, was arrested April 28 after agents seized around 165.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills from a storage unit. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking.