Authorities say more than 400 kilograms of fentanyl and millions in cash and assets were seized in a sprawling law enforcement operation the U.S. Department of Justice is calling the largest fentanyl bust in DEA history.

The Department posted the news to X on May 6 with a one-line announcement:

The images were released alongside a press release detailing a multistate crackdown that netted 16 arrests, seized hundreds of firearms, and disrupted what authorities say was one of the most dangerous drug trafficking networks in U.S. history.

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The coordinated operation, led by the DEA’s El Paso Division under the umbrella of “Operation Take Back America,” targeted the Sinaloa Cartel and its affiliates.

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

The authorities claimed to have carried out raids across five states—New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada—seizing vast quantities of fentanyl in both pill and powder form, as well as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, firearms, high-end vehicles, jewelry, and over $4.6 million in cash.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico alone, agents apparently seized approximately $610,000 in cash, 49 firearms—including ghost guns and automatic-conversion “switches”—and nearly 400 kilograms of fentanyl pills. Other seizures in the city allegedly included heroin, meth, cocaine, and high-value vehicles like a Ford Raptor and a GMC Denali.

In Salem, Oregon, federal agents purportedly uncovered more than $2.8 million in cash and jewelry valued at $50,000, along with luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes AMG and a Ford F-150 Shelby.

Layton, Utah authorities found $780,000 and a Dodge TRX Mammoth pickup, while in Phoenix, Arizona, agents seized $390,000 in cash, 72 pounds of meth, and an additional 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills, the press release said.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, authorities apparently apprehended and deported an illegal alien connected to the trafficking organization, seizing over $93,000 and various narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine.

“Our communities are safer today because of the tireless dedication and coordination among federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico. “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… The fight continues, but this operation marks a decisive step in protecting families across the western United States.”

DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy described the bust as a “battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities.”

“This case represents DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date,” Murphy said. “I commend the men and women of DEA for their extraordinary work… and I remind the cartels that DEA is relentlessly in pursuit and will not stop until we destroy your networks.”

The indictment names Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, as the leader of the trafficking organization. Amaya faces charges for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl as well as three immigration-related offenses: illegal reentry after deportation, hiring an unauthorized alien, and conspiracy to harbor unauthorized aliens.

Authorities also claimed to have arrested three additional individuals—Phillip Lovato, Roberta Herrera, and Misael Lopez Rubio—on separate criminal complaints. The press release indicates that the three were connected to stash houses and storage units containing hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills.

The scale of this bust adds to a growing federal effort to curtail fentanyl trafficking and criminal activity linked to illegal immigration.

The Trump administration, which has emphasized border enforcement and national security, has deported nearly 150,000 illegal aliens in just its first 100 days—part of a larger strategy to deter cartel influence and unlawful entry into the United States, The Dallas Express reported.