Federal authorities have dismantled a major drug trafficking operation spanning five U.S. states, leading to the arrest of 16 individuals and the seizure of over 400 kilograms of fentanyl—the largest haul in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s history. The operation, coordinated under the umbrella of “Operation Take Back America,” involved agencies from local, state, tribal, and federal levels and targeted a network tied to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Led by the DEA’s El Paso Division, agents conducted coordinated raids in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, and Nevada, seizing millions of fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, firearms, and over $5 million in cash. Authorities say this operation has disrupted a major fentanyl pipeline supplying Western U.S. communities.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, agents confiscated 396 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, nearly $610,000 in cash, 49 firearms—including modified and ghost guns—along with other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Vehicles, including a Ford Raptor and GMC Denali, were also seized.
Raids in Salem, Oregon, turned up more than $2.8 million in cash and high-end vehicles, including a Mercedes AMG. In Utah, law enforcement found $780,000 in Layton and a Dodge TRX Mammoth. Other seizures included 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills in Phoenix, Arizona, and more than 2.7 kilograms of cocaine in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The central figure in the case is Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, identified as the leader of the trafficking organization and arrested in Oregon. Salazar Amaya faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, illegal reentry after deportation, and harboring unauthorized migrants.
Other individuals arrested face similar charges, with several charged for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and other drugs. Bruce Sedillo is additionally charged with possession of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking. Three other individuals were arrested on criminal complaints tied to separate seizures: Phillip Lovato in Santa Fe, Roberta Herrera in Albuquerque, and Misael Lopez Rubio in a storage facility bust.
DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy called the outcome a “battlefield victory,” citing the seizure of roughly 3 million fentanyl-laced pills disguised as oxycodone. Murphy credited the extensive undercover work and coordination across agencies, stating the network was infiltrated at every level.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the operation’s impact during a press conference, saying the volume of seized narcotics represents a major disruption to cartel activity and a direct benefit to public safety. Bondi added that those convicted will serve long prison terms and will not be deported before serving time.
The operation is part of a broader DOJ initiative targeting transnational criminal organizations and includes efforts from the IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, and multiple local police departments and tribal agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, and Utah are jointly prosecuting the case.
Federal officials say additional arrests may follow as investigations continue. The DEA has reiterated its commitment to targeting the supply chains fueling the fentanyl crisis, which continues to drive overdose deaths across the country.
Image is in the public domain and was created by CBP Photography.
