Florida Law Enforcement Seize Fentanyl Enough to Kill 5 Million in Largest Drug Bust, 3 Arrested Linked to Sinaloa Cartel
Drug trafficking operation involved trafficking fentanyl from Mexico to California, then to Florida in state's largest drug bust; Governor Ron DeSantis criticizes Biden's border control policies following arrest of three linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, two of whom illegally entered the country.
- The 10 kilograms of fentanyl seized by Florida law enforcement, enough to kill 5 million people, was linked to a drug trafficking operation connected to the Sinaloa Cartel.
- Three Mexican nationals, two of whom were in the country illegally, were arrested for their part in the operation - they have been identified as Juan Manuel Gutierrez Medina, 55; Ruperto Rocha, 65; and Juan Gutierrez Contreras, 25.
- Through a weeks-long investigation, undercover detectives conducted controlled purchases of large quantities of fentanyl from the suspects, with Gutierrez Medina tracked from Compton to Florida where he was arrested.
- Governor Ron DeSantis has issued criticism of President Biden's border control policies, arguing their impact contributed to the fentanyl making its way to Florida.
- All three suspects have been charged with trafficking fentanyl over 28 grams, an offense which carries a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of 25 years and a $500,000 fine.