WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal agents arrested more than 600 suspects tied to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel in a coast-to-coast crackdown that netted tons of narcotics, $11 million in cash, and hundreds of weapons, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced Monday.
Between Aug. 25 and 29, the DEA coordinated raids across 23 field divisions, calling it one of the largest strikes against the cartel in U.S. history.
Agents seized:
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480 kilograms of fentanyl powder
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2,209 kilograms of methamphetamine
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7,469 kilograms of cocaine
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16.5 kilograms of heroin
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714,000 counterfeit pills
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420 firearms
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$11 million in cash
“These results demonstrate the full weight of DEA’s commitment to protecting the American people,” DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said. “Every kilogram of poison seized, every dollar stripped from the cartels, and every arrest represents lives saved and communities defended.”
The cartel’s reach was evident in New England, where 171 suspects were arrested. Agents confiscated 244 kilograms of drugs, 22,115 counterfeit pills, $1.3 million in cash, and 33 guns. Arrest totals included 64 in Connecticut, 49 in Massachusetts, 33 in New Hampshire, 11 in Maine, 10 in Rhode Island, and three in Vermont.
One of the largest stings unfolded in Franklin, New Hampshire, where 27 suspects were taken into custody after a three-month fentanyl and meth probe linked to Lawrence, Massachusetts.
“They’re our public enemy number one in New England,” said Jarod Forget, DEA special agent in charge.
Officials stressed the operation showed the cartel’s grip on both major cities and small towns.
“This shows that the Sinaloa Cartel’s tentacles spread far and deep; no community is spared,” said Jim Scott, DEA special agent in charge of the Louisville Division.
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