Phoenix among cities involved in DEA’s largest fentanyl bust in history
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The U.S. Department of Justice says Phoenix was one of the cities involved in a nationwide operation that led to the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) biggest drug bust in the agency’s history.
“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,” U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a news release. “This Department of Justice will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle every cartel network operating illegally in the United States.”
In Phoenix, about $390,000 in cash was seized alongside 72 pounds of meth, nearly 29 pounds of fentanyl pills, 2.4 pounds of heroin and 11 pounds of cocaine. Meanwhile, agents in Las Vegas apprehended an illegal immigrant, seize 6 pounds of cocaine and about 1 pound of meth.
Other neighboring states also saw similar success. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, more than $600,000 in cash was seized alongside 49 firearms, including ghost guns. About 873 pounds of fentanyl pills were found, and about 25 pounds of fentanyl powder. Smaller amounts of cocaine, heroin and meth were taken, as well as as a Ford Raptor and GMC vehicle.
In Layton, Utah, the operation recovered $780,000 in cash and a Dodge TRX valued at $150,000. Agents also seized over $2.8 million in cash, jewelry worth $50,000, and a Mercedes AMG and a Ford F-150 Shelby valued at $150,000 in Salem, Oregon.
“Behind the 3 million fentanyl pills we seized are destructive criminal acts thwarted and American lives saved. This wasn’t just a bust—it was a battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “This case represents DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date. I commend the men and women of DEA for their extraordinary work, day in and day out, and I remind the cartels that DEA is relentlessly in pursuit and will not stop until we destroy your networks.”
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