U.S. Drug Raids Seize $10M in Crypto Tied to Sinaloa Cartel
Major Cryptocurrency Seizure Linked to Sinaloa Cartel Amid Nationwide Drug Raids
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Targets Sinaloa Cartel Operations
In a significant crackdown, U.S. drug enforcement officials have confiscated over $10 million in cryptocurrency associated with the notorious Sinaloa cartel during recent raids. These operations also resulted in the seizure of substantial amounts of fentanyl and other illicit substances, as announced by authorities on Tuesday.
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Targets Sinaloa Cartel Operations
- Nationwide Drug Operations Yield Massive Quantities of Illicit Substances
- Key Developments in the Sinaloa Cartel’s Legal Troubles
- DEA’s Ongoing Efforts Against Drug Traffickers
- Notable Drug Discoveries Across the Country
- Sinaloa Cartel’s Ruthlessness and Recent Violent Incidents
- More from CBS News
Nationwide Drug Operations Yield Massive Quantities of Illicit Substances
The Sinaloa cartel, recognized as one of six Mexican drug trafficking organizations designated as global “terrorist” entities by former President Trump, has been under intense scrutiny. The cryptocurrency confiscation in Miami was part of a broader initiative that has led to the recovery of 44 million fentanyl pills, 4,500 pounds of fentanyl powder, and nearly 65,000 pounds of methamphetamine since the beginning of the year, according to a statement from the Justice Department.
Key Developments in the Sinaloa Cartel’s Legal Troubles
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in collaboration with the FBI, reported the seizure of over $10 million in cryptocurrency directly tied to the cartel’s activities. This announcement follows the recent guilty plea of Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who accepted a plea deal in Chicago that may lead to a lighter sentence.
Guzman Sr. was sentenced to life in prison following a high-profile trial in 2019.
DEA’s Ongoing Efforts Against Drug Traffickers
“DEA is applying pressure on the cartels through arrests and asset seizures, demonstrating our commitment to combating drug trafficking,” stated DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. The cryptocurrency seizure is part of a series of significant drug busts across the nation, including operations in California, Texas, and Georgia, which have resulted in the confiscation of thousands of pounds of drugs and numerous arrests.
Notable Drug Discoveries Across the Country
In Galveston, Texas, agents discovered over 1,700 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within a vehicle, valued at more than $15 million. Other operations have revealed drugs hidden in produce shipments, such as 705 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within cucumbers in Georgia and 783 pounds found in a refrigerated truck transporting blueberries in Texas.
Sinaloa Cartel’s Ruthlessness and Recent Violent Incidents
The Sinaloa cartel is infamous for its brutality, as evidenced by two recent incidents. Last month, the Justice Department disclosed that the cartel had employed hackers to infiltrate phone data and surveillance systems in Mexico City, aiming to locate and eliminate FBI informants. Additionally, Mexican authorities reported the discovery of twenty bodies, some decapitated, on a highway bridge in an area where rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel are engaged in violent conflicts.
More from CBS News
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving situation and other related news stories.
