Utah one of five states involved in largest fentanyl drug bust in DEA history

LAYTON, Utah (KUTV) — Utah was involved in the largest fentanyl bust in the Drug Enforcement Administration's history.

16 people were arrested with record-breaking amounts of fentanyl, cash, firearms, and vehicles across multiple states, "dismantling one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking organizations in U.S. history," the U.S. Department of Justice said.

"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," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a press release. "This Department of Justice will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle every cartel network operating illegally in the United States."

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Law enforcement executed search warrants across five states. The following was seized:

Layton, Utah:

• Approximately $780,000 in U.S. currency
• A Dodge TRX Mammoth valued at approximately $150,000

Albuquerque, New Mexico:

• Approximately $610,000 in U.S. currency
• 49 firearms, some with switches, and some ghost guns
• 396 kilograms of fentanyl pills
• 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder
• 1.5 kilograms of cocaine
• 3.5 kilograms of heroin
• 7 pounds of methamphetamine
• A Ford Raptor and a GMC Denali valued at approximately $140,000

Salem, Oregon:

• More than $2.8 million in U.S. currency
• Jewelry valued at approximately $50,000
• A Mercedes AMG and a Ford F-150 Shelby valued at approximately $150,000

Phoenix, Arizona:

• Approximately $390,000 in U.S. currency
• 72 pounds of methamphetamine
• 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills
• 2.4 pounds of heroin
• 5 kilograms of cocaine

Las Vegas, Nevada:

• An illegal alien was apprehended and removed
• More than $93,000 in U.S. currency
• 2.7 kilograms of cocaine
• 1 pound of methamphetamine

According to DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy, "this case represents DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date."

"Behind the three 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," he said.

"By dismantling one of the largest and most dangerous fentanyl trafficking organizations in U.S. history, we have removed millions of lethal doses from our streets and sent a clear message: those who profit from poisoning our citizens will be held accountable," U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico added, per the press release.

Charges, according to the U.S. Department of Justice

Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, is allegedly the leader of the drug trafficking organization.

He and Cesar Acuna-Moreno, Bruce Sedillo, Vincent Montoya, Francisco Garcia, David Anesi, George Navarette-Ramirez, Alex Anthony Martinez, Jose Luis Marquez, Nicholas Tanner, Brian Sanchez, Kaitlyn Young, Alan Singer, and David Altamirano Lopez were charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

Cesar Acuna-Moreno, Brian Sanchez, Kaitlyn Young, Alan Singer, Bruce Sedillo, Francisco Garcia, and Nicholas Tanner faced additional charges of distributing fentanyl.

Additionally, Jose Luis Marquez and Bruce Sedillo were charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Bruce Sedillo was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Heriberto Salazar Amaya faced three additional immigration-related charges, including illegal reentry after deportation, hiring an unauthorized alien, and conspiracy to harbor unauthorized aliens.

During the operation, Phillip Lovato, Roberta Herrera, and Misael Lopez Rubio were arrested and charged.

Agents reportedly seized approximately 110,000 fentanyl pills from Lovato’s stash house in Santa Fe, New Mexico; approximately 365,000 fentanyl pills, 1,543.5 grams of heroin, 569.9 grams of cocaine, and 24 firearms from Herrera’s apartment; and approximately 165.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills from a storage unit rented by Lopez Rubio.

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