DEA 'Operation Last Mile' Targeted US Based Sinaloa & CJNG Networks

In Operation Last Mile, DEA tracked down distribution networks across the United States that are connected to the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels. The Operation shows that the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels use violent local street gangs and criminal groups and individuals across the United States to flood American communities with huge amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine, which drives addiction and violence and kills Americans.

 

The operation also shows that the cartels, their members, and their associates use social media applications—like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat—and encrypted platforms—like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Wire, and Wickr—to coordinate logistics and reach out to victims.

Among these investigations, more than 1,100 cases involved social media applications and encrypted communications platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Wire, and Wickr.

Total Seizures & Arrests

Nationally, Operation Last Mile comprised 1,436 investigations conducted from May 1, 2022, through May 1, 2023, in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.

• 3,337 Arrests
• 44 million Fentanyl pills
• 6,500 pounds of Fentanyl powder
• 91,000 pounds of Methamphetamine
• 8,497 Firearms
• $100 million
• 193,000,000 deadly doses of fentanyl

With an area of responsibility that covers the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, the DEA Washington Division reported that since May 2022, their intelligence and operational efforts resulted in 158 investigations directly linked to the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels. So far, and in partnership with local, state, and federal partners, these investigations have led to the arrest of 240 criminals and the seizure of 98 lbs. of fentanyl powder, 224,450 fake pills, 126 lbs. of methamphetamine, 569 guns and over $4,500,000. The analysis of the modus operandi of these Drug Criminal Organizations revealed that they are using social media and encrypted apps in over 50 of these investigations.

“Drug trafficking and violent crime is a major problem in many neighborhoods across the DMV and affects the very foundation of our families and communities. Every time we take illegal drugs and firearms off the streets, we save lives,” mentioned Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division. “The Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels are doing everything they can to increase their profits at the cost of the lives and safety of our citizens. I’m very grateful for the hard work of the DEA teams and our law enforcement partners, with whom we were able to make these arrests and seizures from these violent drug trafficking organizations”.

DEA Dallas Division Results

The DEA Dallas Field Division, which includes multiple offices in North Texas and the State of Oklahoma conducted 48 distinct investigations targeting both the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels, including 6 instances of overlapping involvement. In just a twelve-month period, over 339,000 fake pills and 133 pounds of fentanyl were seized, representing over 3.5 million deadly doses of this poison. Furthermore, DEA Dallas arrested 213 traffickers and seized over 1,300 pounds of methamphetamine, 501 weapons, and $5,451,008 in drug-related assets.

“These results show the commitment to saving lives by the men and women of DEA Dallas and all of our law enforcement family operating throughout North Texas and Oklahoma,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge of DEA operations in the area. “This is not a movie where after the scene, people go home. This is real. Families are forever affected by the scourge of drug trafficking. Consequences matter and individuals will be held accountable.”

DEA Chicago Division Results

As part of the yearlong operation targeting 48 Sinaloa and Jalisco cartel operations throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, the DEA Chicago Field Division seized 126 pounds of fentanyl powder and 223,755 fake pills, equivalent to 3,337,709 deadly doses. DEA Chicago Field Division agents also conducted 173 arrests while seizing 904 pounds of methamphetamine, 738 guns, and $5,756,330 in assets.

“Operation Last Mile is an important step towards dismantling every part of the drug trafficking networks responsible for killing Americans at record rates,” said Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division. “This enforcement operation should send a clear message to those in our community facilitating the work of the cartels, the Chicago Field Division will continue to pursue you in order to protect the safety and health of our communities throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.”

DEA Houston Division Results

The DEA Houston Division as a result of Operation Last Mile, reported 82 investigations, over 150 arrests, and the seizure of 1,068 firearms, 2,797 pounds of methamphetamine, 42 pounds of fentanyl powder, 316,509 fake pills containing fentanyl, and more than 6 million in assets. The fentanyl powder and pill seizures made by the Houston Division equate to nearly 1.2 million deadly doses of fentanyl removed from communities across southeast Texas.

“Operation Last Mile inflicts a deliberating blow to the operatives, associates, and distributors affiliated with the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels who are responsible for the fentanyl and methamphetamine distributions in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, DEA Houston Division. “Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our communities. DEA, along with our many partners, will remain relentless in our pursuit of these cartels and their affiliates, who are spreading their deadly poison throughout our neighborhoods.”

DEA Seattle Division Results

As part of the yearlong operation targeting 39 Sinaloa and Jalisco cartel operations throughout Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho, the DEA Seattle Field Division seized 83 pounds of fentanyl powder and 1,012,775 fake pills, equivalent to 2,729,128 deadly doses. DEA Seattle Field Division special agents also conducted 148 arrests while seizing 857 pounds of methamphetamine, 33 guns, and $1,099,775 in assets.

“Over the last year, the Seattle Field Division identified and targeted individuals working for the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels who distributed fake pills laced with fentanyl into our communities,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The men and women of the DEA’s Seattle Field Division will continue to protect the people of the Pacific Northwest and remove the deadly influence the cartels bring to our communities.”

In April 2023, the DEA and their federal partners announced the indictment of 28 members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel operating in Mexico, China, and Central America, including the leaders of the Cartel known as the “Los Chapitos.”

Recently, the sons of “El Chapo” released a response letter via a lawyer responding to that indictment and accusations of fentanyl trafficking. 

Source DEA, ABC