Mexican Military Seizes Record Amount Of Fentanyl Pills

Rachel Cooper, 70, who says she was introduced to fentanyl by her kids, walks back to her tent with Lummi Nation crisis outreach supervisor Evelyn Jefferson, at left, at a longstanding homeless encamp

The Mexican military made a significant drug bust, seizing over a ton of fentanyl pills in two separate raids, marking one of the largest hauls of the synthetic opioid in the country's history. The operations were carried out following a notable decline in fentanyl seizures in Mexico this year and amidst threats from President-elect Trump to impose tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods as a response to issues of illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

The raids, which took place in Sinaloa, a state known for its drug cartel activity, resulted in the discovery of approximately 660 pounds of fentanyl in one house and 1,750 pounds in a truck parked at another location. Two individuals were apprehended during the operations, and a cache of firearms was also confiscated by the authorities.

Public Safety Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch hailed the seizure as the largest in Sinaloa's history, emphasizing the success of the operation that had been under investigation for some time. The interception of the fentanyl, a potent substance linked to tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the U.S. annually, shed light on the intricate network of drug production and smuggling orchestrated by Mexican cartels.

Largest fentanyl seizure in Mexico's history.

Mexican military seizes over a ton of fentanyl in two raids.

Operations in Sinaloa, known for drug cartel activity.

The decline in fentanyl seizures earlier in the year had raised concerns, as Mexican drug cartels were identified as key players in the production and distribution of the deadly substance, often sourcing precursors from China. President Trump's pressure on Mexico to intensify efforts against drug trafficking culminated in the recent tariff threats, with additional sanctions looming over China for its role in fentanyl trafficking.

In a related development, the U.S. State Department announced a heightened reward for Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho,' the leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), a notorious drug cartel involved in fentanyl and other illicit drug trade with the U.S. The escalating tensions over drug trafficking prompted discussions between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and President Trump, with efforts to address the economic implications of potential tariffs on both countries.