() The U.S. Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration announced a series of drug busts as part of its Operation Take Back America initiative.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said during a press briefing on Tuesday that DEA agents conducted several raids over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, including one where 71 kilograms of fentanyl and 20 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized in Columbia, South Carolina.
“This is near the University of South Carolina, where we all know dealers will often target college kids,” Bondi said. “They put these drugs in pill form to go after our kids.”
Bondi also described a seizure in Fresno, California where 24 pounds of carfentanil that was disguised as prescription pills were seized.
She added that cartels have been getting illegal immigrants to do their bidding and bring drugs into the U.S.
“The DOJ will continue to prosecute these violent criminals,” Bondi said. “If you are dealing in these drugs to Americans or any citizen in this world, you’re a violent criminal, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
Since the DEA carried out Operation Take Back America in January, Bondi said the agency has seized millions of pounds of drugs. Bondi said under the recently passed “big, beautiful bill,” there was $3.3 billion allotted to the agency to help with the initiative’s efforts.
The initiative, according to the DOJ, was started to combat ” illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and ending illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and human beings.”
It includes investigations and prosecutions relating to immigration enforcement, such as cases involving obstruction of immigration objectives by sanctuary jurisdictions and “efforts to target” cartels identified in Executive Order 14157.
Bondi announced that anyone who is in possession of 100 grams or more of any fentanyl-related substance, they will face a 10-year minimum sentence.
“President Trump, the Department of Justice and the great men and women at the DEA will continue to fight to make America safe again,” Bondi said.
