WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made significant strides in combating cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) involved in trafficking illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl. The department has reported record-breaking seizures and arrests over the past two fiscal years, surpassing the totals of the previous five years combined. This comprehensive effort aligns with President Biden’s Unity Agenda and the recent initiatives announced by the Biden-Harris Administration, aiming to protect American communities from the dangers of fentanyl.
DHS’s strategy involves four key pillars: disrupting global drug cartels and illicit supply chains, intercepting drugs and precursor chemicals at U.S. borders and ports of entry, partnering with state and local agencies to keep fentanyl out of communities, and deploying advanced technology to combat fentanyl trafficking.
Major Achievements in FY 2024:
- Arrests and Seizures:
- DHS has arrested over 3,600 individuals connected to fentanyl seizures, directly impacting the organized criminal networks responsible for trafficking.
- Seizures included over 2,200 pill presses and more than 27,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl, preventing these dangerous substances from reaching U.S. communities. These efforts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are estimated to have intercepted enough fentanyl for 738.5 million doses.
- HSI initiated 5,874 narcotics-related investigations, highlighting the extensive scope of DHS’s operations.
- Technological Advancements:
- DHS is expanding the use of non-intrusive inspection (NII) technology to enhance detection capabilities at borders, including deploying AI and machine learning for better targeting of illicit shipments.
- The introduction of Forward Operating Laboratories has enabled rapid onsite testing for fentanyl, accelerating law enforcement actions and prosecutions.
- Collaborative Efforts and Operations:
- DHS has engaged in significant partnerships with state and local law enforcement through task forces such as HSI’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST), enhancing coordination and eliminating barriers between federal and local investigations.
- Operations like Operation Apollo and Operation Blue Lotus have mobilized hundreds of personnel to intercept narcotics at Southwest Border ports of entry (POEs). These operations have resulted in nearly 10,000 pounds of fentanyl being seized alongside other narcotics.
- Legislative Proposals and International Cooperation:
- The Biden-Harris Administration is pushing for legislation to increase penalties for those trafficking deadly drugs and to close loopholes exploited by traffickers. The “Detect and Defeat” Counter-Fentanyl proposal includes provisions to regulate de minimis shipments and establish a registry for pill presses.
- DHS is actively involved in international efforts, including the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, and has bolstered counternarcotics cooperation with key partners like China, India, Mexico, and Canada.
- Breaking Up Cartels and Supply Chains:
- DHS’s initiatives include targeting the entire supply chain of fentanyl, from precursor chemicals and pill press machines to the financial networks supporting these operations. Significant operations, such as the indictment of 47 alleged members of a Sinaloa Cartel-linked network, underscore DHS’s commitment to dismantling these dangerous organizations.
DHS continues to call on Congress for additional resources and authorities to enhance the department’s capacity to combat the fentanyl crisis effectively. The recent enforcement data from FY 2024 represents only a fraction of the comprehensive, ongoing efforts by DHS to safeguard American communities from the devastating impacts of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.