U.S. federal authorities seize cryptoassets worth 10 million Dollars related to fentanyl trafficking | CoinDesk JAPAN

• The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized cryptoassets worth 10 million Dollars (approximately 1.49 billion yen, based on an exchange rate of 149 yen per Dollar) related to the drug organization "Sinaloa Cartel" in Miami.
• The funds are said to be related to the trafficking of synthetic opioids and money laundering networks.

On the 16th, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that federal agents in Miami seized cryptoassets worth more than 10 million Dollars (approximately 1.49 billion yen) related to the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico.

This seizure was part of a joint operation between the DEA and FBI, targeting funds related to the trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids into the United States.

This crackdown was part of a nationwide effort in which a large number of fentanyl pills and powder were seized across the country in the first half of 2025. Most of the seized items were cash, weapons, and drugs, but the Miami case highlights the increasing reliance of cartels on cryptoassets for moving and concealing profits.

The authorities stated that the investigation is ongoing and further arrests and asset freezes related to cartel activities are expected.

The authorities have not disclosed the types of cryptoassets that were seized, but the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) previously stated that Mexican criminal organizations are using multiple popular digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Monero (XMR), and Tether (USDT) to purchase the raw materials needed for the production of fentanyl drugs.