Mexican authorities orchestrated one of their largest fentanyl busts ever, seizing over a ton of the deadly opioid in two separate raids on Tuesday. This comes on the heels of a significant decline in fentanyl seizures in Mexico this year and amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.
The operation unfolded in Sinaloa, the heartland of the Sinaloa cartel, after soldiers spotted two armed individuals. A subsequent pursuit led authorities to two houses where approximately 660 pounds of fentanyl were discovered in one, and a staggering 1,750 pounds were found in a truck at the other location. Two arrests were made, and multiple firearms were confiscated.
Mexican military and police patrol in Culiacan, Sinaloa. (AP Photo/Martin Urista)
Public Safety Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch hailed the operation as a historic victory in the fight against fentanyl trafficking. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the operation was the culmination of an ongoing investigation. However, the method used – observing individuals carrying weapons – has raised concerns about potential warrantless searches.
This massive seizure follows a period of noticeably lower fentanyl confiscations in Mexico. The timing coincides with President-elect Trump’s recent tariff threats against Mexico and Canada, aimed at pressuring these nations to curb the flow of illegal drugs and immigration into the U.S.
President Claudia Sheinbaum and President-elect Trump (Getty Images)
Experts highlight that Mexican cartels manufacture fentanyl using precursors from China before smuggling it into the U.S., where it contributes to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually. Trump has been vocal about demanding stricter action from Mexico on drug trafficking and has also threatened tariffs on China regarding the fentanyl crisis.
Coincidentally, the U.S. State Department increased the reward for the capture of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka "El Mencho," leader of the CJNG cartel, known for trafficking fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S. The reward has been raised from $10 million to $15 million.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Friday to discuss topics like the economy, illegal immigration and a proposed 25% tariff. (Justin Trudeau X)
Following the tariff threats, both President Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau engaged in discussions with Trump. Sheinbaum described her conversation with Trump as “productive," while Trudeau expressed concerns about the potential devastating impact of the tariffs on Canada's economy.
