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Bondi celebrates ‘largest fentanyl bust in history." A: She lied. B: The operation began under Biden [1]
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Date: 2025-05-06
On Tuesday, Elizabeth Crisp of The Hill reported on an exuberant US AG Pam Bondi celebrating the ‘largest fentanyl bust in our nation’s history.’ Crisp wrote:
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday touted the “largest fentanyl bust in our nation’s history” — a coordinated takedown spanning five states that recovered 11.5 kilos of fentanyl, including about 3 million fentanyl-laced pills labeled as oxycodone that led to the arrests of multiple people tied to the violent Mexican Sinaloa cartel.
Crisp also revealed that Bondi got herself in front of some cameras to crow.
“It marks the most significant victory in our nation’s fight against fentanyl and drug trafficking to date,” Bondi said during a news conference, adding that the sweeping effort “targeted one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking and foreign terrorist organizations in our country.”
It wasn‘t just fentanyl. The report added:
In addition to the fentanyl haul, officers said they recovered 35 kilos of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilos of cocaine, 4.5 kilos of heroin, and 49 rifles and pistols.
And Crisp reported some more chest-thumping by the AG
“This was an incredible operation,” Bondi said. “It took months and months of work … to get this massive amount of drugs and guns off our streets.”
I’m all for getting illegal drugs off the street. So I say well done. But the reader may have already noticed something that Bondi did not detail — specifically, exactly how many months the “months and months” amounted to. Luckily, the report discovered the number from other sources.
The alleged drug trafficking operation spanned across New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Colorado, and the multi-agency investigation began with undercover operations and surveillance six months ago, authorities said
Six months ago was November 2024 — when Biden was in office. So I say, thanks Joe. And thanks to the current administration for continuing the good work that had begun under the previous administration.
We should also note that Bondi is not only guilty of stolen credit — she is also a liar. The largest seizure of fentanyl in “the nation’s history” was 4 million fentanyl pills (1,000 lbs) in July 2024. Again, I say thanks Joe.
(Authors note: when Bondi said “a coordinated takedown spanning five states that recovered 11.5 kilos of fentanyl, including about 3 million fentanyl-laced pills,” I think she sold herself short. Based on the seizure noted above, 3 million fentanyl pills would weigh 750 lbs (340 kg). I suspect she meant to say “plus,” not “including.” They can’t even get their boasting straight.)
Calculating how much fentanyl enters the US every year is tough. Drug smugglers don’t fill out customs forms. But we do know how much has been seized in prior years. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported seizing over 13,176 kilograms (29,048 pounds) of fentanyl in 2023. Bearing that in mind, Bondi’s celebration of 11.5 kg (or even 341.5kg, see note above) seems over-exuberant and unwarranted.
In addition, the reader might ask, “Has this confiscatory approach to fentanyl had any effect on the price, supply, or availability of the poison?” I’m not a consumer, so I cannot say for sure. But I have yet to hear Bondi or anyone else point out evidence of a supply shortage.
Imagine a large bunch of teenagers going to a rave, each bringing some quantity of cheap alcohol. Even if you stop one, the party is still going to happen.
The numbers for the other drugs mentioned are of the same caliber. Here’s a chart my AI created:
Bondi’s seizure of 35 kilos (77 lbs) of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilos (16.5 lbs) of cocaine, and 4.5 kilos (10 lbs) of heroin pale in comparison to the amounts seized in 2024. As for “49 rifles and pistols,” I suspect that many individual American gun collectors have more than that in their armories.
The reality is evident to everyone — except those whose income or political future depends on pretending the war on drugs is working. Trying to prevent illegal drug use in the US by shutting down the supply is as useful as trying to empty a swimming pool with a sieve.
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[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/5/6/2320906/-Bondi-celebrates-largest-fentanyl-bust-in-history-A-She-lied-B-The-operation-began-under-Biden?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web
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