The Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division announced on Tuesday that 46 Honduran nationals linked to the Sinaloa Cartel were arrested for drug trafficking in a series of “drug enforcement missions” in Portland, Oregon, over the last few months.
In a Tuesday press release, the Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division announced “a multi-agency fentanyl enforcement operation resulting in dozens of arrests, and the seizure of drugs, firearms, and cash in Portland, Oregon.”
“Honduran drug traffickers working for the Sinaloa Cartel infiltrated Portland flooding the area with deadly fentanyl and other drugs,” the press release stated. “The focus of this investigation was to interrupt the open -air drug market in Multnomah County.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division noted in the press release that 46 drug traffickers were arrested in the recent multi-agency operation. According to The Post Millennial, while the Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division described the arrested drug traffickers as “Honduran nationals,” federal law enforcement sources told the outlet that the drug traffickers are likely illegal immigrants.
READ MORE: Drone strikes on Mexican drug cartels considered by Trump admin: Report
In addition to the 46 arrests, the Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division said law enforcement officials seized $204,007 in cash, 20 firearms, 2,507 fentanyl pills, 44 pounds of fentanyl powder, 22 pounds of methamphetamine, nine pounds of cocaine, and two pounds of heroin.
Pictures of some of the items seized in the recent drug enforcement operation were shared on X, formerly Twitter, by the Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division.
The Drug Enforcement Administration explained that a dose of just two milligrams of fentanyl is considered to be deadly and that almost 70% of drug poisonings and overdose deaths involve fentanyl.
“The fentanyl seized by our team in this case could have yielded over 1.5 million lethal doses – enough to kill everyone in Portland twice,” David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division, said. “I am proud that DEA could help our partners bring this surge to a successful conclusion, saving lives here in Portland and throughout Oregon.”
In Tuesday’s press release, Portland Police Chief Bob Day emphasized that fentanyl “has no place” in the city of Portland.
“Our partnership with local, state, and federal agencies makes our collective response stronger,” Day stated. “This operation was a success, but it is only one step in a larger, sustained effort to keep Portland safe.”
