The DOJ says the bust was centered around the Sinaloa Cartel. More than $2.8 million in U.S. currency, along with about $50,000 worth of jewelry and two cars were seized in Salem as part of the bust.
In New Mexico, federal authorities seized 396 kilograms of fentanyl pills and 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, along with other evidence, including cocaine, heroin and guns.
“Behind the three million fentanyl pills we seized are destructive criminal acts thwarted and American lives saved,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “This wasn’t just a bust—it was a battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities.”
Evidence was also seized in Layton, Utah, Phoenix, Ariz., and Las Vegas. 16 individual were arrested as part of the bust.
Heriberto Salazer Amaya, 36, who the DOJ describes as the leader of the drug trafficking organization, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Multnomah County on April 28.
Amaya faces federal charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and multiple immigration-related charges.
