17.07.2025 15:55

Joint operations by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Miami, Florida, resulted in the seizure of over $10 million in cryptocurrency directly tied to Mexico's Sinaloa cartel. This significant financial blow to the cartel occurred earlier this year and forms a crucial part of a broader nationwide crackdown.

The Miami operation wasn't isolated; it's part of a wider, multi-state effort spanning California, Texas, Georgia, and other locations. This extensive campaign yielded an impressive haul of narcotics: a staggering 44 million fentanyl pills, over 4,500 pounds of fentanyl powder, and nearly 65,000 pounds of methamphetamine, all seized since January. This significant seizure underscores the DEA's proactive approach in combating the drug trade.

DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy emphasized the agency's aggressive tactics, stating that they are targeting cartels relentlessly through arrests, seizures, and sustained pressure. The Justice Department's report confirmed the cryptocurrency seizure, highlighting its direct connection to the Sinaloa cartel's illicit activities. The type of cryptocurrency confiscated remains unspecified in the report from internet sources.

The Sinaloa cartel's sophisticated use of cryptocurrency for money laundering is well-documented. This seizure is especially significant given the cartel's history of employing hackers for nefarious purposes, including tracking and assassinating FBI informants. Last month, the cartel utilized a hacker to breach phone data and Mexico City surveillance systems, leveraging this access to identify and eliminate informants. This underscores the cartel's evolving tactics and the need for continued law enforcement vigilance. The incident highlights the increasing reliance of criminal organizations on cryptocurrency, though internet sources make no mention of specific cryptocurrencies like Tether in this particular incident.