Douglas County, Colorado – Federal authorities discovered 1.7 million fentanyl pills in a storage unit in Douglas County, a seizure connected to an ongoing investigation targeting the infamous Sinaloa Cartel. The discovery is part of a broader federal operation that has already led to significant arrests across multiple states.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed that the investigation previously resulted in the April arrest of 20 individuals in Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon, including Heriberto Salazar Amaya, described by the DEA as both a “leader” and a “key operative” in the cartel.
Among those arrested is his brother, Rafael Salazar Amaya, facing 44 state charges related to drugs and organized crime. He remains in Adams County jail on a $500,000 cash-only bail.
Discovery of the Fentanyl Cache
On November 11, an individual purchased a seemingly abandoned storage unit in Highlands Ranch, which had not been rented for several months. Upon opening the unit, the buyer found multiple black plastic tubs containing what appeared to be large quantities of blue fentanyl pills, as per the reports. The discovery prompted an immediate call to law enforcement.
David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division, explained that authorities quickly linked the contents of the unit to an active DEA investigation.
During a November 17 news conference, Olesky highlighted the seized pills displayed on a table, emphasizing the swift response and coordination by federal agents.
Connection to Sinaloa Cartel and Prior Arrests
Court documents and public statements from federal officials, including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, have tied the seizure to Heriberto and Rafael Salazar Amaya. These documents link the Douglas County discovery to prior fentanyl confiscations in Denver, Colorado, and Albuquerque, New Mexico in April.
On May 6, Attorney General Bondi announced the arrest of Heriberto Salazar Amaya in Albuquerque, labeling him the head of a major drug trafficking ring and a U.S.-based operative for the Sinaloa Cartel. She called the investigation “the largest fentanyl bust in our nation’s history.”
The following day, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four additional individuals, including Rafael Salazar Amaya, as part of a massive fentanyl distribution network. Court records confirm that the two men are brothers, and the larger investigation has led to the seizure of 5.2 million fentanyl pills, dozens of firearms, and $5 million in cash.
Ongoing Federal Efforts and Public Safety
Federal authorities continue to pursue leads in this case, with investigations ongoing to identify all individuals involved in the network. The DEA and local law enforcement urge community members to remain vigilant, emphasizing the dangers posed by illicit fentanyl and the importance of reporting suspicious activity.
What are your thoughts on the scale of the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations and the fentanyl crisis in the U.S.? How can communities and law enforcement better combat drug trafficking? Share your comments and insights below!
