DHS Launching Two New Operations to Fight Fentanyl
Following the success of Operation Blue Lotus and Operation Four Horsemen, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched the next phase of its campaign to “target and prevent fentanyl from entering the United States.” Seizures of the synthetic opioid in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 have already surpassed FY 2022 levels.
The next phase will focus on sending more agents and investigators to intercept fentanyl shipments and break up smuggling networks.
“The intelligence and investigative work being conducted by DHS Agencies and with our federal partners to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain is unprecedented,” said DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
It will consist of two efforts: Operation Artemis and Operation Rolling Wave.
Operation Artemis will be led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) support. The goal is to disrupt the fentanyl supply chains and intercept items required to produce fentanyl. Operation Artemis will rely on intelligence gained from Operation Blue Lotus, which ran from March to May 2023. Operation Blue Lotus and its sister operation, Operation Four Horsemen, resulted in the seizure of nearly 10,000 pounds of fentanyl and the arrests of 284 people.
In the operation, HSI will continue surging resources to Ports of Entry, “where 90 percent of fentanyl is trafficked primarily in cars and trucks, while also increasing its coordination of operations to target the fentanyl supply chain.” In addition, CBP will run a parallel intelligence and analysis operation, Operation Argus.
Operation Rolling Wave will surge inspections at Southwest Border checkpoints and will leverage analysis and intelligence sharing to intercept fentanyl. The agency relies on informants, technology, and other intelligence sources to determine which trucks and vehicles are more likely to be transporting illegal narcotics.
“The new operations will build on the successful pairing of law enforcement partnerships and technological advancements to keep these devastating drugs out of our communities,” said Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller.
As of June 6, CBP had seized nearly 20,000 pounds of fentanyl, compared with approximately 14,700 pounds in all of FY 2022.
Besides the operations, DHS also cites its investment in technology and the establishment of Border Enforcement Security Taskforce units, as a reason for the rise in fentanyl seizures.
Congress Focuses on Issue
Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows more than 110,000 people died of drug overdoses in 2022, with synthetic opioids causing two-thirds of the deaths. While that shows a leveling off from 2021, fentanyl remains a top issue in Congress.
Recently, the FEND Off Fentanyl Act — a money laundering and sanctions bill designed to target opioid traffickers—unanimously passed out of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
“Americans want meaningful action on fentanyl, and it is past time this Committee utilizes our economic tools to choke off the profits of the cartels and Chinese chemical suppliers,” said sponsor and Committee Ranking Member Senator Tim Scott (R-SC).