Major Fentanyl Trafficker Arrested in Oregon, DEA Disrupts Network

SALEM, Oregon — Heriberto Salazar Amaya, 36, was arrested on April 28, 2025, during a massive DEA operation. Authorities have identified him as the leader of a significant fentanyl trafficking network linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, operating across at least five U.S. states.

Operating from Oregon, Salazar Amaya coordinated the distribution of fentanyl without the use of visible violence or physical presence. Instead, he managed logistics and anonymity, following a sophisticated system that utilized stash houses for distribution.

According to federal prosecutors, Salazar Amaya received drug orders from U.S. customers and dispatched deliveries through messengers. The cover was designed for constant distribution without exposing the leaders to law enforcement.

This method, referred to as the “Salazar Model,” allowed the HSA DTO (Heriberto Salazar Amaya Drug Trafficking Organization) to function like a criminal enterprise with defined hierarchies and responsibilities.

The DEA had been investigating this organization since 2024, employing undercover surveillance, financial analysis, and tracking technologies. Key operation points included cities like Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Phoenix, all of which had logistics setups that enabled the distribution of drugs originating from Mexico.

In the April 28 operation, authorities seized approximately 4.2 million fentanyl pills and millions in cash, along with firearms and luxury vehicles across five states. Initially reported as three million, the total pill count was confirmed to be 4,193,000, according to court documents.

Salazar Amaya also faces charges for illegal re-entry into the U.S. and conspiracy to harbor undocumented workers. Alongside him, 15 others were arrested, many facing additional charges related to firearms and illegal immigration status.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison remarked, “The scale of this operation is alarming; these drugs are enough to cause countless fatalities across the nation.” He stressed the collaboration among agencies leading to the success of this operation, highlighting its importance in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking.