Authorities have carried out one of the largest fentanyl busts in U.S. history after they seized 11.5 kilos which included millions of pills, a move that was announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi Tuesday.
According to Fox News, Bondi said sixteen people were arrested and six involved were in the U.S. illegally.
Along with the fentanyl, another 35 kilos of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilos of cocaine, and 4.5 kilos of heroin was also seized, as well as $5 million in cash and a stash of rifles and pistols.
Bondi said one of the Sinaloa Cartel’s top-ranking members, Alberto Salazar Amaya, was the leader of the drug ring and had been living in Salem, Oregon. Drugs were being distributed as far as Albuquerque, New Mexico, Phoenix, Arizona, and Utah.
“We’re very proud to announce today a historic Sinaloa Cartel arrest and it marks the most significant victory in our nation’s fight against fentanyl and drug trafficking to date,” Bondi said at a press briefing. “This multi-agency operation, led by DEA, with our local, state, tribal and federal partners targeted one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking and foreign terrorist organizations in our country.”
“The DEA seized 11.5 kilos of fentanyl, including an astounding approximately 3 million fentanyl pills. The largest seizure in our nation’s history.”
Fentanyl pills had been stamped as oxycodone Bondi said, before praising DEA agents who took part in the bust. Bondi further said that fentanyl is a weapon of “mass destruction,” and sent a warning to drug pushers and drug traffickers.
“When we catch you like all of these individuals, if convicted, we will put you behind bars. There will be no negotiating, and we will lock you up for as long as humanly possible,” Bondi said. “We will not negotiate with those who are killing our family members, including brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, parents, friends, everyone in this room.”
Bondi said the illegal migrants caught up in the bust are unlikely to be sent back to Mexico, and hinted they could be sent to Alcatraz, which President Donald Trump announced Monday would be rebuilt.
“The amount of drugs, the amount of money, the amount of weapons most of these individuals [had], if convicted, will remain in American prisons. Perhaps Alcatraz,” Bondi said.
