Operation Take Back America: Over 400 Kilograms of Fentanyl Seized in Coordinated Multi-State Operation

On May 6, 2025, federal prosecutors announced the results of

Operation Take Back America, a multi-state enforcement effort that resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals and the seizure of over 400 kilograms of fentanyl. The operation is considered the largest single fentanyl pill seizure to date and targeted a drug trafficking organization alleged to be linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. The effort was coordinated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), both of which focus on disrupting transnational criminal organizations and associated threats, including narcotics distribution and immigration-related offenses.

Search warrants were executed across New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Seizures included fentanyl in both pill and powder form, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, cash, firearms, and high-value vehicles. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, officers seized approximately $610,000 in cash, 396 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 3.5 kilograms of heroin, seven pounds of methamphetamine, and 49 firearms. Among the weapons recovered were several “ghost guns” and firearms modified with conversion devices. Two vehicles—a Ford Raptor and GMC Denali—were also confiscated, with a combined estimated value of $140,000.

In Salem, Oregon, agents seized more than $2.8 million in cash, jewelry valued at $50,000, and two luxury vehicles: a Mercedes AMG and a Ford F-150 Shelby, estimated at $150,000 in total. In Layton, Utah, the operation recovered approximately $780,000 and a Dodge TRX Mammoth truck valued at around $150,000. In Phoenix, Arizona, officials confiscated $390,000 in cash, 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 72 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.4 pounds of heroin, and 5 kilograms of cocaine. In Las Vegas, Nevada, enforcement actions led to the recovery of $93,000 in cash, 2.7 kilograms of cocaine, one pound of methamphetamine, and the detention of an individual determined to be unlawfully present in the United States.

Additional seizures took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Phillip Lovato, 39, was arrested after approximately 110,000 fentanyl pills were found at a property tied to him. He faces charges of possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking. In a separate incident, Roberta Herrera, 31, was charged after agents discovered approximately 365,000 fentanyl pills, over 1.5 kilograms of heroin, 569.9 grams of cocaine, and 24 firearms in her apartment. A minor was also found at the location. Herrera faces charges for distribution-level quantities of multiple controlled substances, conspiracy, and use of firearms during drug trafficking. Misael Lopez Rubio, 25, was also arrested and charged after authorities found 165.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills in a storage unit he allegedly rented.

The central defendant, Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, is believed to be the leader of the trafficking network. He is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, illegal reentry after prior removals from the United States in 2006 and 2011, hiring unauthorized persons, and conspiracy to harbor unauthorized immigrants. He also reportedly used multiple aliases, including HSA, Juan, El Paisar, Viejor, Heriberto Salazar-Torresr, Gabriel Gomez-Torres, and Pedro Gomez-Diaz, which complicated tracking efforts. Salazar Amaya is among 16 individuals named in the indictment. Others include Cesar Acuna-Moreno, 27; Bruce Sedillo, 26; Vincent Montoya, 35; David Anesi, 42; George Navarette-Ramirez, 25; Alex Anthony Martinez; Jose Luis Marquez; Nicholas Tanner; Brian Sanchez; Kaitlyn Young; Alan Singer; and David Altamirano Lopez. Several defendants face additional charges for drug distribution, while Sedillo is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew McGinley, Blake Nichols, and Raquel Ruiz-Velez of the District of New Mexico. The case is supported by U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Oregon, Arizona, and Utah, reflecting its multi-jurisdictional scope. Legal documents, including the indictment and criminal complaints, were filed in federal court, and the case continues under the Department of Justice’s oversight.

Participating agencies included the Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, Isleta Police Department, Laguna Pueblo Police Department, Pojoaque Police Department, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Department, Lea County Drug Task Force, and the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, among others. These agencies collaborated to coordinate simultaneous actions in multiple locations, reinforcing the scale and reach of the operation.

Officials involved in the case indicated that the quantities of fentanyl seized would equate to millions of potential doses. While the case is ongoing, the size and scope of the operation suggest a significant disruption to the alleged network’s ability to operate across state lines. No sentencing or trial dates have yet been announced.