A five-state operation has resulted in the arrest 16 people and a “record-breaking” seizure of fentanyl, cash, weapons and vehicles, federal officials announced Wednesday.

Arizona was among the states involved in the bust, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, which stated seizures here included 72 pounds of methamphetamine, 13 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 2.4 pounds of heroin, 5 kilograms of cocaine and $390,000.

 In all, more than 400 kilograms of fentanyl were seized, officials said.

“This historic drug seizure, led by the DEA, is a significant blow against the Sinaloa Cartel that removes poison from our streets and protects American citizens from the scourge of fentanyl,” U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said.

“This Department of Justice will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle every cartel network operating illegally in the United States.”

Other states involved in the drug operation were New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Oregon, the release stated.

“Behind the 3 million fentanyl pills we seized are destructive criminal acts thwarted and American lives saved. This wasn't just a bust - it was a battlefield victory against a terrorist-backed network pumping death into our cities,” DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy said.

“This case represents DEA’s largest single seizure of fentanyl pills to date.”

For more: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/largest-fentanyl-bust-dea-history-authorities-seize-over-400-kilograms-fentanyl-record

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