Pam Bondi Announces Record Fentanyl Bust: 'Incredible Operation' Against Sinaloa Cartel

Landmark Fentanyl Seizure

• 🎯 Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a major DEA-led operation targeting the Sinaloa cartel, resulting in the seizure of 11.5 kilos of fentanyl.
• 💡 This seizure included approximately 3 million fentanyl pills, marking the largest such seizure in U.S. history.
• 💰 The operation also recovered $5 million in cash, 35 kilos of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilos of cocaine, 4.5 kilos of heroin, and 49 rifles and pistols.

Cartel Leadership and Operations

• 👤 The head of the Sinaloa organization in the U.S., Alberto Salazar Amaya, was apprehended. He was living illegally in Salem, Oregon.
• 🌍 The drugs were distributed across Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Utah, highlighting the cartel's insulated operational structure.
• 🇨🇳 Precursor chemicals for the fentanyl originate in China, are sent to Mexico, and then trafficked into the U.S.

Dangers of Fentanyl

• ⚠️ Bondi emphasized that the seized pills were stamped as oxycodone but contained varying strengths of fentanyl, posing extreme danger.
• 💊 Fentanyl is also being mixed into other drugs like Xanax, Adderall, Molly, cocaine, and marijuana to induce severe addiction.
• 💔 Fentanyl is a leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-34, with an estimated 75,000 deaths annually.

Law Enforcement Efforts

• ⏳ This significant bust was the result of over 55,000 hours of law enforcement investigation.
• ✊ Bondi praised the bravery of DEA agents and law enforcement partners, stressing a commitment to prosecuting offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
• 📢 The Attorney General urged the public to spread awareness about the prevalence of fentanyl in recreational drugs, advising extreme caution.