May 7, 2025 6:00 a.m.

Federal authorities say a man living in Salem was the leader of one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking organizations in U.S. history. It has been dismantled following the biggest fentanyl bust ever for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

A DEA announcement on Tuesday said 16 individuals have been arrested and officials seized record breaking quantities of fentanyl, cash, firearms and vehicles across five states. That includes over 400 kilograms of fentanyl.

The DEA said that 36-year-old Heriberto Salazar Amaya headed the cartel. He and 13 other people have been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. At Amaya’s location in Salem, DEA reportedly seized more than $2.8 million, jewelry valued at approximately $50,000 and two vehicles with a combined value of approximately $150,000.

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

Arrests and seizures were made in Salem, Albuquerque New Mexico, Layton Utah, Phoenix Arizona and Las Vegas Nevada.

The DEA’s El Paso Division investigated the case with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. A number of law enforcement agencies participated in the operation.

The release said the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the of the Department of Justice to repeal the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational organizations and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.