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

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.

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]

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]

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.

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]

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.