DHS Fentanyl Operations Seize 5,000 Pounds in First Month
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says the Administration’s “significant and historic actions to disrupt the trafficking of synthetic drugs” are paying dividends.
DHS says that in the first month of Operation Blue Lotus, over 4,000 pounds of fentanyl were stopped at ports of entry, where more than 90 percent of fentanyl is trafficked.
Operation Blue Lotus is a coordinated surge operation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as well as state and local partners that began on March 13, 2023.
In addition, U.S. Border Patrol’s complementary operation, Operation Four Horsemen, stopped over 800 pounds of fentanyl in its first month.
“These operations, which have together stopped over 5,000 pounds of fentanyl in their first month, are another example of how the dedicated personnel of DHS are taking on the cartels and protecting our homeland,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “We are matching the unprecedented challenge of fentanyl with unprecedented solutions and leveraging the full weight of this Department to do so.”
Operation Blue Lotus includes an increase in targeted inspections at the border by CBP officers, HSI agents, canine units, using advanced technology and analytics. HSI personnel are deployed alongside CBP officers to immediately pursue investigations as illegal drugs are discovered.
In addition, CBP’s Forward Operating Labs (FOLs) conduct real-time analysis of unknown substances, enabling investigations to proceed more quickly.
DHS says intelligence learned through the operation is helping target drug traffickers and their networks, helping to build criminal cases against the organizations.
“Drug traffickers are constantly seeking innovative and unique ways to flood American communities with their deadly concoctions. We are fully committed to taking action against those producing this deadly poison and bringing them to justice,” said CBP Acting Commissioner Troy A. Miller.
Operation Blue Lotus also led to the arrest of 156 people and the seizure of over 3,500 pounds of methamphetamines, and nearly 1,000 pounds of cocaine.
DHS says the aggressive moves against fentanyl are working, noting that agents seized more fentanyl and arrested more criminals for fentanyl-related crimes in the past two years than in the previous five years combined.
Meanwhile, the Biden Administration announced a new effort to crack down on fentanyl supply chains, building on the National Drug Control Strategy announced in the State of the Union address.
Among the initiatives announced:
· Building a global coalition to take on illegal drug manufacturing and drug trafficking.
· Strengthening coordination and information sharing between U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
· Accelerating partnerships with the private sector.
· Protecting the financial system from abuse by drug traffickers.
· Urging Congress to close loopholes for illicit synthetic drugs.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there were over 80,000 opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2021, compared to 47,600 in 2017. Deaths involving primarily fentanyl rose to more than 70,000 in 2021.