BONUS POD: Operation Restore Justice Exposes Child Predators plus Largest Drug Seizure in US History

Summary

Verdict with Ted Cruz: BONUS POD - Operation Restore Justice Exposes Child Predators plus Largest Drug Seizure in US History

Release Date: May 8, 2025
Hosted By: Ben Ferguson
Co-Hosted By: Senator Ted Cruz
Produced By: Premiere Networks

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Introduction

In this bonus episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," host Ben Ferguson delves into two monumental law enforcement achievements under the Trump administration: Operation Restore Justice, which targets child sex predators, and the largest fentanyl seizure in US history orchestrated against the Sinaloa drug cartel. This episode highlights the relentless efforts of federal authorities to protect American children and combat the deadly influx of fentanyl into the United States.

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1. Operation Restore Justice: Cracking Down on Child Predators

Overview: Ben Ferguson opens the discussion by spotlighting Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide initiative spearheaded by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Cash Patel. This operation marks a significant crackdown on individuals involved in child sexual exploitation.

Key Highlights:

• Arrests and Rescues:

  • Over 205 individuals were arrested within a five-day period.
  • 115 children were rescued across various states.

  "Over a five-day period, the operation led to the arrest of 205 individuals. The most heartbreaking part of all is the rescue of 115 children across the United States of America."
  — Ben Ferguson [03:27]

• Scope and Coordination:

  • Involvement of all 55 FBI field offices.
  • Collaboration with the Department of Justice Child Exploitation section and U.S. Attorney's offices nationwide.

• Notable Arrests:

  • Jeremy Francis Plonsky, a Minnesota state trooper and former army reservist, arrested for producing child sexual abuse material while in uniform.
  • Jose Alexis Valdez Sosa, an undocumented individual from Mexico, arrested in Virginia for transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes.
  • Officer Linwood Barnhill, a former Metropolitan Police Department officer in Washington, D.C., arrested for exploiting additional victims while on supervised release.

  "In Minneapolis, defendant Jeremy Francis Plonsky, a Minneapolis state trooper and former army reservist, was arrested for producing child sexual abuse material while in uniform."
  — Cash Patel [08:07]

Statements from Authorities:

• Attorney General Pam Bondi:

  "What I will tell you is 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. If you are online targeting a child, you will not escape us."
  — Pam Bondi [06:30]

  "Parents, they are talking to your kids like they're other children, and they're not. They're predators. They pose as children."
  — Pam Bondi [06:30]

• FBI Director Cash Patel:

  "Our children deserve a free and open society. If you harm our children, you will be given no sanctuary. There is no place we will not come to hunt you down."
  — Cash Patel [08:22]

Public Involvement:

• Emphasis on the public's role in reporting suspected exploitation through established hotlines and online reporting tools.

  "The DOJ is collaborating with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and they are encouraging you, the public, to report suspected exploitation."
  — Ben Ferguson [11:07]

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2. Largest Fentanyl Seizure in US History Tied to the Sinaloa Cartel

Overview: Transitioning to the second major story, Ben Ferguson discusses the unprecedented fentanyl seizure orchestrated by the DEA against the Sinaloa cartel, a designation already deemed a terrorist organization by the Trump administration.

Key Highlights:

• Details of the Seizure:

  • 11.5 kilos of fentanyl seized.
  • Approximately 3 million fentanyl pills stamped as oxycodone.
  • Additional confiscations included 35 kilos of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilos of cocaine, 4.5 kilos of heroin, 49 rifles and pistols, and approximately $5 million in cash.

  "The DEA seized 11.5 kilos of fentanyl, including an astounding approximately 3 million fentanyl pills. The largest seizure in our nation's history."
  — Pam Bondi [13:14]

• Cartel Operations:

  • Alberto Salazar Amaya, the leader of the Sinaloa cartel's fentanyl operations in the US, was operating illegally in Salem, Oregon.
  • The cartel's distribution network spanned Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Utah, demonstrating their extensive reach.

• Impact on Public Health:

  • Fentanyl is identified as the number one killer, particularly affecting individuals ages 18 to 34.
  • The pills were often mislabeled as oxycodone, leading to accidental overdoses.

Statements from Authorities:

• Attorney General Pam Bondi:

  "These pills were stamped as oxycodone. Let that sink in. Three million pills going on our streets. Three million pills. The streets of our country laced with fentanyl labeled as oxycodone."
  — Pam Bondi [13:14]

  "This operation was made possible by over 55,000 hours of law enforcement investigation."
  — Pam Bondi [13:14]

• Ben Ferguson:

  "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."
  — Ben Ferguson [15:28]

Policy Critique:

• The episode criticizes the Biden administration for not designating the Sinaloa cartel as a terrorist organization sooner and for allegedly providing sanctuary through lenient policies in cities like Oregon.

  "The Attorney General also making it clear that she has the Trump administration behind her saying that we must continue to fight these cartels that have been declared by Donald Trump a terrorist organization, a designation that should have been done years ago by the Biden administration."
  — Ben Ferguson [15:28]

Public Advisory:

• Pam Bondi warns the public, especially parents, to educate their children about the dangers of counterfeit pills and the lethal threat of fentanyl in the black market.

  "Tell your kids and your grandkids about fake pills that are hitting the markets at record pace."
  — Pam Bondi [13:14]

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Conclusion

This bonus episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz" underscores significant strides made by the Trump administration in safeguarding American children and combating the opioid crisis. Through Operation Restore Justice, thousands of predators were apprehended, and hundreds of children were rescued, showcasing a robust commitment to child protection. Simultaneously, the DEA's largest fentanyl seizure decimates the Sinaloa cartel's operations, representing a critical battle in the war against illicit drugs. The episode emphasizes the need for continued vigilance, public involvement, and unwavering leadership to maintain and advance these successes.

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Notable Quotes:

• "If you are online targeting a child, you will not escape us." — Pam Bondi [06:30]
• "There is no place we will not come to hunt you down." — Cash Patel [08:22]
• "Three million pills going on our streets. Three million pills." — Pam Bondi [13:14]
• "These depraved human beings, if convicted, will face the maximum penalty in prison, some life." — Pam Bondi [06:30]
• "The streets of our country laced with fentanyl labeled as oxycodone." — Pam Bondi [13:14]

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This comprehensive overview provides listeners with a clear understanding of the critical initiatives discussed in the episode, highlighting the efforts to protect vulnerable populations and combat organized crime.

Transcript

[Bob Pittman]

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[Bob Pittman]

Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. On this week's episode of Math and Magic, I'm sitting down with the one and only Bobby Bones. We're exploring the power of audio. Yeah, I don't fit into one specific hole. I think that is what endeared me to listeners. That's why I'm here now, because I.

[Ben Ferguson]

Talk to people that grew up like.

[Bob Pittman]

Me, have sensibilities like me, and have loyalties like me. Listen to math and magic stories from the frontiers of marketing. On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. In the fall of 1986, Ronald Reagan found himself at the center of a massive scandal that looked like it might bring down his presidency. It became known as the Iran Contra affair.

[Ben Ferguson]

The things that happened were so bizarre.

[Bob Pittman]

And insane, I can't begin to tell you. Please do to hear the whole story. Listen to Iran Contra on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Pam Bondi]

You can't comprehend that cities and states would be so demented to do something like this to let these violent criminals trende. Agua is a terrorist organization. Sinalo ISIS terrorist organization. Ms. 13 is a terrorist organization.

[Bob Pittman]

You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.

[Ben Ferguson]

Good Thursday morning. Nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update. Ben Ferguson with you. And we have two major stories for you this morning coming from the Trump administration, the Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI Director Cash Patel announcing the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide initiative targeting sex child predators. And the big question is how were there so many people to catch and why did the Democrats do nothing to stop this when they were in charge? We'll have the details on that story for you first. Also, in another massive win, the Sinaloa cartel was behind the largest fentanyl seizure in US History. And the Trump administration is letting Americans know to be careful of the pills on the black market as the Sinaloa cartel is flooding America at record rates with drugs that are killing Americans. It's the 47 Morning Update and it starts right now. The question every American should be asking themselves right now is 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? Well, thank goodness. With Donald Trump's leadership and the Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI Director Cash Patel, they have announced the results of Operation Restore justice, something that could have been done under the last administration. It's a nationwide initiative targeting child sex predators. And over a five day period, the operation led to the arrest of 205 individuals. And the most heartbreaking part of all is the rescue of 115 children across the United States of America. The scope of the operation was incredible. The operation involved all 55 FBI field offices, the Department of Justice Child Exploitation section and the U.S. attorney's offices nationwide. Again, why did the Democrats and the Biden administration not protect these children? There was also some shocking arrests, including A Minnesota state trooper and an army reservist that was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while in uniform. Also, a former Metropolitan Police Department officer in Washington, D.C. previously convicted of sex offenses, was charged with exploiting additional victims while on supervised release. And that's not all. An undocumented individual from Mexico was arrested in Virginia for allegedly transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes. I go back to the original question. Why did our federal government and the Biden administration purposely look the other way while they knew this was going on? Luckily, Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, had this to say about the operation.

[Pam Bondi]

What I will tell you is 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. If you are online targeting a child, you will not escape us. The FBI and the Department of Justice will come after you and we will prosecute you. Parents, you have to know this is so serious. Your child has no right to privacy on the Internet. None. You have to monitor what your kids are doing, whether they're playing games on the Internet, on social media, any other websites that children, teenagers frequent, an online predator can find them. I always say it's from instant message to instant nightmare. Parents, they're talking to your kids like they're other children, and they're not. They're predators. They pose as children. They get them sometimes to post explicit pictures of themselves after they talk to them, and then in some cases, they even try to blackmail the children. The suicide rate among teens ages 14 to 17 has increased as a result of this as well, because teens are taken advantage of and they're manipulated online by child predators. So all of you being here today and covering this is so important because parents need to know you've got to talk to your kids. They think they're talking to other children, but most of the time they're not.

[Ben Ferguson]

And that's not all. A major warning coming from the FBI Director, Cash Patel, as he highlighted the operations message, making it clear, we're coming for you if you are harming children. Here's what he had to say as.

[Bob Pittman]

Well as the FBI Director. I'm humbled to leave some of the brightest men and women in law enforcement. And I want to thank our 55 field offices, our 90 plus United States Attorney's offices, our SEOs section, our Crim Division here at the Department of Justice, and our field offices throughout the country, with lawyers and prosecutors and agents working tirelessly on some of the harshest criminality we've ever seen. They don't take breaks because our children deserve a free and open society. I also want to just take a moment to emphasize the priority of this Department of Justice and this FBI. Our children. If you harm our children, you will be given no sanctuary. There is no place we will not come to hunt you down. There is no place we will not look for you. And there is no cage we will not put you in should you do harm to our children. The prioritization of this administration and General Bondi has made it abundantly clear to child predators, you will be hunted down and you will be prosecuted. And that is a refreshing thing to hear for the men and women who do this work tirelessly. And it's also an acknowledgement of the safety that we look forward to bringing America. As the attorney general mentioned, there are a couple of cases worth highlighting. People in places of public trust have violated not only the law, but that public trust to include teachers, law enforcement personnel, and other professionals that we look to safeguard. Our children, have not only violated the law, but violated the trust. In Minneapolis, defendant Jeremy Francis Plonsky, a Minneapolis state trooper and former army reservist, was arrested for producing child sexual abuse material while in uniform. Not anymore. In Norfolk, Virginia, defendant Jose Alexis Valdez Sosa, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, again allegedly arrested for transporting a minor across state lines. No more. Another example right here in Washington, D.C. in the metropolitan Police Department, Officer Linwood Barnhill, a former already convicted sex offender, was arrested again for exploiting more victims, more children while on supervised release. These are just three examples that show you the extent and the depravity of these horrific crimes. And we need to team up together with the American public to find the rest. I want to give a special thanks to the national center for Missing and Exploited Children for the tireless work they do in partnering with us. And again, I want to thank the Department of Justice and all these folks here. And Pam, thank you for never wavering to defend our children.

[Ben Ferguson]

Now, this operation is not over. It is part of Project Safe Childhood. It's a DOJ initiative launched to make sure that we combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The DOJ is collaborating with the national center for Missing and Exploited Children, and they are encouraging you, the public, to report suspected exploitation through established hotlines and online reporting tools. One thing is for sure, the Trump administration is not going to turn a blind eye to this, and they are going after these predators wherever they are.

[Bob Pittman]

Next, story number two, the White House.

[Ben Ferguson]

Has made it very clear that when it comes to Law and order. They are a full court press and a team that is working together, whether it's the Attorney General's office, the FBI and local law enforcement. And now we have the largest fentanyl seizure in US history tied to the Sinaloa drug cartel. The Attorney general coming out and sang. A cell of the Sinaloa cartel operated in four major US cities. The cartel conducted a large scale drug distribution operation throughout the western part of the country that led federal authorities to the largest fentanyl seizure ever. There was an illegal alien from Mexico that led the group in the US and the group ran one of the largest fentanyl and drug distribution networks the country has ever seen. Documents from the U.S. department of justice are now revealing the Sinaloa cartel boss running this fentanyl empire as it was described today from Oregon. That should tell you everything you need to know. Oregon sanctuary policies kept this man safe. Pam Bondi making it clear in her statements that this is a problem and it's taking the lives of countless Americans. The number one killer of fentanyl in this country is those between the ages of 18 and 34. And she had a warning for the American people to tell your kids and your grandkids about fake pills that are hitting the markets at record pace.

[Pam Bondi]

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 are the pills in the bags right there. The main, bottom right. The head of this organization, Sinaloa Organization, here in the country illegally. Six of these guys and women here in the country illegally. His name is Alberto Salazar Amaya. He is the leader and he was living in Salem, Oregon. With him they got millions of dollars, cash, cars. But the drugs were in Albuquerque, Phoenix and Utah. That's how insulated these drug dealer cartel leaders make themselves. This was an incredible operation and that's why I wanted all of you here behind me. It took months and months of work, investigation leading up to smaller buys, smaller cases to get this massive amount of drugs and guns off our streets. $5 million approximately in cash. 35 kilos of methamphetamine, 35 kilos of meth, 7.5 kilos of cocaine, 4.5 kilos of heroin, 49 rifles and pistols, all shown in the pictures. And then of course, the 3 million pills. These pills were stamped as oxycodone. Let that sink in. Three million pills going on our streets. Three million pills. The streets of our country laced with fentanyl labeled as oxycodone, and they were in all different strengths of fentanyl within them. This operation was made possible by over 55,000 hours of law enforcement investigation. And this is a really dangerous job that these DEA agents face every day, but they are getting very dangerous drugs off of our streets each day.

[Ben Ferguson]

As Pam Bondi said, 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 of fentanyl. The Attorney General also making it clear that she has the Trump administration behind her saying that we must continue to fight these cartels that have been declared by Donald Trump a terrorist organization, a designation that should have been done years ago by the Biden administration, but instead, Democrats are giving them sanctuary in their cities.

[Bob Pittman]

Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now. And for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here tomorrow. This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. May is Mental health Awareness Month and Talkspace, the leading virtual therapy provider, is telling everyone let's face it in therapy. By talking or texting with a supportive licensed therapist at Talkspace, you can face whatever is holding you back, whether it's mental health symptoms, relationships, drama, past trauma, bad habits, or another challenge that you need support to work through. It's easy to sign up. Just go to talkspace.com and you'll be paired with a provider, typically within 48 hours. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule. Plus, Talkspace is in network with most major insurers and most insured members have a zero dollar copay. Make your mental health a priority and start today. If you're not covered by Insurance, get $80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com and enter promo code SPACE80. That's S P A CE80. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to talkspace.com and Enter promo code SPACE80. Hi, I'm Bob Pippman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. On this week's episode of Math and Magic, I'm sitting down with the one and only Bobby Bones. We're exploring the power of audio. Yeah, I don't fit into one specific hole. I think that is what endeared me to listeners. That's why I'M here now because I.

[Ben Ferguson]

Talk to people that grew up like.

[Bob Pittman]

Me, have sensibilities like me, and have loyalties like me. Listen to math and magic stories from the frontiers of Marketing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. In the fall of 1986, Ronald Reagan found himself at the center of a massive scandal that looked like it might bring down his presidency. It became known as the Iran Contra Affair. The things that happened were so bizarre and insane I can't begin to tell you. Please do to hear the whole story. Listen to Fiasco Iran Contra on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ben Ferguson]

Hey Clay, if there was a summer camp for critical thinking, we'd be the chief counselors.

[Bob Pittman]

Those jelly heads in June would be.

[Ben Ferguson]

Intellectual warriors by August.

[Bob Pittman]

A lot of fun to some Bill.

[Ben Ferguson]

And Ted's excellent adventure references thrown in this podcast like a daily dose of that. Minus the campfires, archery and pranking the girls.

[Bob Pittman]

The bonafide boot camp for critical thinking. You can get in on it for free at the iHeartRadio app or wherever.

[Ben Ferguson]

You get your podcast.

[Bob Pittman]

Just search our names Clay and Buck. Listen and subscribe. You're listening to an iHeart podcast.