Pam Bondi announces one of the biggest fentanyl seizures in American history

The attorney general revealed that 35 kilograms of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilograms of cocaine and 4.5 kilograms of heroin were also seized in the bust, along with $5 million in cash.

By Misty Severi

Published: May 6, 2025 4:39pm

Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday announced in a press conference that authorities made one of the largest fentanyl seizures in United States history, consisting of 11.5 kilograms of the drug.

Sixteen people were arrested in the drug bust, including six men who were in the country illegally and three women, and the leader of the drug ring has been identified as a senior member of the Sinaloa Cartel Alberto Salazar Amaya.

The attorney general revealed that 35 kilograms of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilograms of cocaine and 4.5 kilograms of heroin were also seized in the bust, along with $5 million in cash and 49 guns.

"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. "This multi-agency operation, led by the [Drug Enforcement Agency], 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."

Bondi said the drugs were being distributed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Phoenix, Arizona, and in Utah. The fentanyl came in the form of over three million pills, which were stamped as Oxycodone.

Fentanyl is considered one of the most dangerous drugs in the country, which has been at the heart of the opioid epidemic in the country.

The attorney general also described the dangerous drug as a "weapon of mass destruction" and warned drug dealers that were in the country illegally that they would be placed in American prisons, not deported.

"When we catch you like all of these individuals, if convicted, we will put you behind bars," she said. "There will be no negotiating and we will lock you up for as long as humanly possible. We will not negotiate with those who are killing our family members, including brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, parents, friends everyone in this room."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.