DEA Arrests 51 Tied to Sinaloa Cartel Across Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia

The DEA Louisville Field Division recently conducted a week-long multi-state operation targeting the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the world's most powerful drug trafficking organizations. This sweep resulted in the arrest of 51 individuals across Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, all facing charges related to drug trafficking. Authorities seized over 50 kilograms of drugs including cocaine, methamphetamine at historically high purity levels, fentanyl, marijuana, along with 133 firearms, nearly 9,000 counterfeit pills—about half containing lethal amounts of fentanyl—and more than $78,000 in cash. DEA Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott emphasized the widespread presence of these drugs in communities and the significant public health and safety threat posed by the cartel’s operations. The Sinaloa Cartel is also involved in other criminal activities such as money laundering, weapons trafficking, and prostitution. The DEA continues to collaborate with local and state law enforcement agencies in an effort to dismantle the cartel's influence and improve community safety.