Following six months of intensive nationwide investigation, Bill Bodner, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division, has officially announced the results of “Project Python.” This initiative stands as the largest single strike by U.S. authorities against the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), resulting in hundreds of arrests and the disruption of numerous transnational drug supply chains.

A Mission to “Constrict” the Criminal Organization

“Project Python” was far more than a routine sweep; it was a coordinated inter-agency strategy designed to “constrict” the resources of the CJNG—living up to the operation’s namesake. Over the past half-year, federal agents deeply penetrated the various layers of the organization, from low-level couriers to the high-ranking leaders managing methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution networks within the United States.

In Los Angeles, Special Agent Bill Bodner emphasized the critical importance of protecting the community from the devastation of narcotics:

“The truth is that drug trafficking exploits and victimizes people on both sides of the border. Today, we have sent a message to CJNG that their extreme participation in this victimization must stop.”

Impactful Statistics

At the conclusion of the operation’s peak phase, the statistics revealed the massive scale of the crackdown:

• Over 600 Arrests: Suspects include core cartel members as well as individuals providing financial support to the organization.

• 350 Indictments: A robust legal framework has been established to ensure these individuals face full justice.

• Significant Asset Seizures: Tens of thousands of pounds of narcotics (including methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin) were seized alongside millions of dollars in cash and military-grade weaponry.

Objective: Eliminating the “Fentanyl Empire”

The CJNG is ranked by the U.S. Department of Justice as one of the top five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations on the planet. Known for its rapid growth and extreme brutality, the cartel is responsible for a significant portion of the synthetic drugs entering the U.S. market, fueling the worst overdose crisis in history.

Special Agent Bodner affirmed that dismantling CJNG cells in Los Angeles and other major cities is the only way to sever the cartel’s “tentacles.” By targeting “stash houses” (clandestine warehouses) and money laundering systems, the DEA is systematically paralyzing the cartel’s ability to reinvest in its violent operations.

An Unwavering Commitment

While “Project Python” has achieved resounding success, DEA leadership stressed that this is only the beginning. The fight against the CJNG and similar criminal enterprises will persist until community safety is fully restored.

“We will not stop until these organizations no longer have the capacity to threaten the peace of our families,” a federal representative declared.