A Sinaloa Cartel leader was arrested as part of an operation that resulted in the "largest fentanyl bust in DEA history," Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
The operation in question was conducted across several western states and "marks the most significant victory in our nation's fight against fentanyl and drug trafficking to date," Bondi added in a press conference.
The Sinaloa cartel leader arrested is Heriberto Salazar Amaya. The Mexican national was apprehended in Salem, Oregon. Other 15 people were also apprehended during the operation. Asked if they would be deported, Bondi said she wants them to "stay in our prisons as long as possible."
"Most of these individuals, if convicted, will remain in American prisons, perhaps Alcatraz," she added, in reference to President Donald Trump's initiative to reopen the decades-long-shuttered California prison.
The operation resulted in the seizure of some 3 million fentanyl-laces pills, as well as fentanyl powder, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, $5 million in cash and dozens of firearms. All those arrested face federal charges, including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and firearm offenses.
Even before the seizure cartels were under pressure from Mexican and U.S. law enforcement. Concretely, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration had helped reduce fentanyl trafficking by 64.3%—or nearly 500 million doses of the lethal synthetic opioid—according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Between October 2024 and February 2025, the agency reported that 564 pounds of fentanyl were seized at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. In comparison, between May and September 2024, Mexican authorities under Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration seized a total of 1,586 pounds of fentanyl, almost triple the amount.
Trump has threatened Mexico with increased tariffs and additional sanctions if it fails to crack down on drug smuggling and illegal immigration along the southern border. Among the most notable operations by Mexican and American authorities before this week's was the seizure of 2,410 pounds of fentanyl in February, the largest such bust in the country's history. Authorities said the shipment had an estimated value of $400 million.
Authorities have also arrested top cartel leaders, including Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada last year. The other co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has been behind bars for years and is now reportedly cooperating with U.S. authorities by providing key information against his longtime associate.
Aaccording to Mexican journalist David Saucedo, Zambada's case could take yet another turn, as "El Chapo" is allegedly providing sensitive information about "El Mayo" Zambada's operations, financial networks and political alliances in exchange for improved prison conditions.
"According to the latest behind-the-scenes information, 'El Chapo' has provided testimony and details to U.S. authorities about Zambada. It's a series of calculated mutual betrayals between the two Sinaloa Cartel co-founders, each seeking their own benefit," Saucedo said in an interview.
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