The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Operation Restore Justice Exposes Child Predators plus Largest Drug Seizure in US History

Release Date: May 8, 2025

Hosted by Ben Ferguson, The 47 Morning Update delivers incisive commentary on the latest political and national news, focusing particularly on the Trump administration's policies and initiatives. In this episode, Ferguson delves into two monumental stories: Operation Restore Justice, a crackdown on child predators, and the largest fentanyl seizure in US history orchestrated against the Sinaloa cartel.

1. Operation Restore Justice: A Nationwide Crackdown on Child Predators

Overview: Operation Restore Justice is a comprehensive initiative led by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Cash Patel under the Trump administration. This five-day nationwide operation successfully apprehended 205 individuals involved in child sexual exploitation, resulting in the rescue of 115 children across the United States.

Key Points:

• Scope and Execution:

  • Involved all 55 FBI field offices, the Department of Justice Child Exploitation Section, and US Attorney's offices nationwide.
  • Targeted professionals in positions of public trust, including a Minnesota state trooper, an army reservist, and a former Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officer.

• Highlights of Arrests:

  • Jeremy Francis Plonsky (Minnesota State Trooper & Former Army Reservist): Arrested for producing child sexual abuse material while in uniform.
  • Jose Alexis Valdez Sosa (Virginia): An undocumented individual from Mexico arrested for transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes.
  • Linwood Barnhill (Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department): Formerly convicted sex offender re-arrested for exploiting additional victims during supervised release.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson [03:05]:
  "Why did our federal government not act sooner? Why did the Biden administration turn a blind eye on purpose to the horrific activities that were happening in this country that they knew about?"

• Pam Bondi [06:08]:
  "These depraved human beings, if convicted, will face the maximum penalty in prison, some life. We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will charge you."
  "Parents, you have to know this is so serious. Your child has no right to privacy on the Internet."

• FBI Director Cash Patel [08:00]:
  "If you harm our children, you will be given no sanctuary. There is no place we will not come to hunt you down."

Insights and Analysis:

• Administration's Stance: The Trump administration positions this operation as a direct response to perceived inaction by the previous Biden administration. Ferguson underscores a narrative of renewed vigilance and commitment to child protection under Trump's leadership.

• Public Safety Emphasis: Both Bondi and Patel stress the critical importance of parental vigilance in monitoring children's online activities, highlighting the manipulative tactics of online predators.

• Collaborative Effort: The operation exemplifies a coordinated effort between various federal agencies and organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, showcasing a unified front against child exploitation.

2. Largest Fentanyl Seizure in US History: Sinaloa Cartel's Dismal Impact

Overview: In a landmark achievement, federal authorities executed the largest fentanyl seizure in U.S. history, dismantling a major distribution network operated by the Sinaloa cartel. This operation not only removed a significant quantity of lethal drugs from American streets but also exposed the pervasive influence of the cartel within the United States.

Key Points:

• Details of the Seizure:

  • Amount Seized: 11.5 kilos of fentanyl and approximately 3 million fentanyl-laced pills falsely labeled as oxycodone.
  • Additional Seized Items: $5 million in cash, 35 kilos of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilos of cocaine, 4.5 kilos of heroin, and 49 rifles and pistols.

• Cartel Leadership:

  • Alberto Salazar Amaya: Leader of the Sinaloa cartel's U.S. operations, residing illegally in Salem, Oregon.
  • Operation Geography: The cartel's operations spanned Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Utah, demonstrating their extensive reach and insulation strategies.

• Methodology:

  • Over 55,000 hours of law enforcement investigation culminated in the seizure, indicating the complexity and danger involved in combating the cartel's operations.

Notable Quotes:

• Pam Bondi [12:51]:
  "The DEA seized 11.5 kilos of fentanyl, including an astounding approximately 3 million fentanyl pills, the largest seizure in our nation's history."
  "These pills were stamped as oxycodone. Let that sink in. Three million pills going on our streets."

• Ben Ferguson [15:06]:
  "This historic drug seizure led by the DEA is a significant blow against the Sinaloa cartel that removes poison from our streets and protects American citizens from the scourge of fentanyl."

Insights and Analysis:

• Public Health Crisis: The seizure underscores the dire state of the opioid epidemic, with fentanyl being the primary cause of overdose deaths among Americans aged 18 to 34.

• Law Enforcement Prioritization: Bondi emphasizes the Trump administration's commitment to tackling drug cartels, contrasting it with the previous administration's alleged leniency which provided sanctuaries to these organizations.

• Community Safety: The operation not only disrupts the cartel’s supply chain but also serves as a stern warning to other drug traffickers about the administration’s resolve to eradicate illegal drug distribution.

Concluding Remarks

Ben Ferguson wraps up the episode by reaffirming the Trump administration’s dedication to law and order, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the Attorney General’s office, the FBI, and local law enforcement in combating heinous crimes against children and the nation’s health. He encourages listeners to remain vigilant and informed, emphasizing the administration's proactive stance in safeguarding American families and communities.

Final Notable Quote:

• Ben Ferguson [15:06]:
  "The Trump administration is not going to turn a blind eye to this, and they are going after these predators wherever they are."

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Disclaimer: The information presented in this summary is based on the transcript provided and reflects the perspectives and statements made by the speakers during the podcast episode released on May 8, 2025.