Joint efforts by the DEA and FBI lead to widespread cartel arrests and drug seizures in 2025.
Overview of the Operation
The operation led by the DEA and FBI is part of a broader campaign against drug cartels, which has resulted in the seizure of millions of fentanyl pills and tens of thousands of pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.
Arrests and Drug Seizures
Raids in South Carolina, California, Georgia, and Texas uncovered meth hidden in produce shipments, dismantled conversion labs, and intercepted bulk narcotics. Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the campaign "historic," warning Americans about the lethal risks of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.
Use of Cryptocurrency in Drug Trafficking
Blockchain data reveals how drug syndicates are adapting. According to Elliptic, a UK-based analytics firm, crypto laundering via crosschain swaps has exploded to $21.8 billion this year.
The large-scale operation by the DEA and FBI highlights the seriousness of the fight against drug cartels in the US and demonstrates how new technologies, such as cryptocurrencies, are used in illicit schemes.
