CBS News reports that 16 persons were arrested and three million pills laced with fentanyl were seized in what federal prosecutors said yesterday (5/6/2025) was the “largest fentanyl bust in [U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration] history.”
The operation spanned several western U.S. states and “marks the most significant victory in our nation’s fight against fentanyl and drug trafficking to date,” according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Among those arrested was a Sinaloa Cartel leader, Heriberto Salazar Amaya (36), a Mexican national who was taken into custody in Salem, Oregon. In February 2025, the Trump administration designated the Sinaloa cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
The CBS News article may be read in full HERE.
KOAT 7 Action News (Albuquerque, NM) is covering this matter locally, stating that the multi-state DEA operation included New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Arizona, with drugs seized in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; and Utah.
According to U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Ryan Ellison:
“In Albuquerque alone, authorities seized staggering quantities of illegal drugs and assets, including over 2.7 million fentanyl pills, 11.5kg of concentrated fentanyl powder, 7 pounds of methamphetamine, multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine, [and] 41 firearms to include ghost guns and weapons modified for automatic fire.”
The KOAT 7 Action News article may be read in full HERE.
The DEA issued a press release yesterday (5/6/2025) titled “DEA Seizes Record-Breaking 2.7 Million Fentanyl Pills” which may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, as indicated in the above photograph, it should be noted that the seizures included fentanyl from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The crime and cartel-related drug problems in New Mexico, and especially in Albuquerque, are beyond words.
The fact that the City of Albuquerque is the ‘home’ to untold numbers of undocumented, homeless, addicted and/or mentally unstable persons is so very sad. Whether it is the church or civil government, we all need to step up our compassion and when appropriate, enforcement, to assure that those who are a danger to themselves and others receive all necessary attention and a chance to overcome bad circumstances. It’s easy to say, but true nonetheless, doing the right thing is always the right thing!
The answer to all of this is found in Jesus, not the wisdom of the world! Pray for New Mexico and Albuquerque leadership, including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mayor Tim Keller, respectively, and all those in positions of civil authority. Too many die horrible deaths or have their lives and futures ruined because of drugs and crime.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek [H]is will in all you do, and [H]e will show you which path to take.”
Let’s never forget that God established plans for our lives, beautiful and perfect plans, before we were ever born. Yet, through our own free will (life choices), we reject God’s best for us and pay the consequences!
Psalm 139:13-16 (NKJV)
“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; [m]arvelous are Your works, [a]nd that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, [w]hen I was made in secret, [a]nd skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, [t]he days fashioned for me, [w]hen as yet there were none of them.”
Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NKJV)
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
