DEA scoops 36 million lethal doses of fentanyl off the streets

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the results of a widespread drug operation that spanned May through September, yielding over 10 million fentanyl pills and what it says were 36 million lethal doses of the drug. DEA agents blame two particular cartels for mass-producing most of these pills, the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

While taking cartel-manufactured fentanyl off the streets sounds like cause for celebration, keep in mind that this is only half the problem and, according to the US, up to 40% of opioid overdose deaths come directly from the doctor with a prescription Department of Health and Human Services. Fentanyl kills indiscriminately from whatever source. Young Americans are more likely to die from an opioid overdose than a car accident, according to the National Safety Council.

However, it is very likely that lives were saved during this particular operation. The DEA released the statistics in a Sept. 30 press release.

As part of the One Pill Can Kill initiative — a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of counterfeit pills like fentanyl — the DEA and its law enforcement partners seized vast quantities of opioid drugs.

How widespread is the opioid epidemic? The DEA seized over 10.2 million fentanyl pills and approximately 980 pounds of fentanyl powder between May 23 and September 8.

Fentanyl is often compressed into blue, round pills that appear to be pharmaceutical in nature, leading people to think they are safe. Often they are not. They also come in a variety of colors, dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” by the media and the DEA itself. Even people with a tolerance to oxycodone or hydrocodone may not stand a chance with fentanyl or its analogues like carfentanil.

According to DEA calculations, the amount of fentanyl seized is equivalent to over 36 million lethal doses of the drug taken from the stockpile. DEA agents also seized 338 weapons, including rifles, shotguns, pistols and hand grenades.

“Fentanyl is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV). We are working diligently with our federal, state and local partners to mitigate this public health crisis,” said Jarod Forget, Acting Special Agent for DEA’s Washington Division. “Our team is actively seizing significant quantities of the deadly fentanyl and is working hard on impactful operations and community events to stop the distribution of this deadly drug in our communities. Mexican cartels are bringing deadly fake pills, often laced with fentanyl, into our neighborhoods to take advantage of the opioid crisis. We will relentlessly pursue criminals bringing such deadly drugs and continue to work to keep you and your families safe. Many people who die from fentanyl poisoning unknowingly consumed it mixed with counterfeit pills or other drugs. Our message to the public is that you can never be sure of what’s inside and only ‘a pill can kill’.”

Almost 400 cases have been investigated and 51 cases are related to overdose poisoning. DEA agents directly linked 35 of the cases to one or both of the major Mexican cartels responsible for most of the fentanyl in the United States, namely the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG.

But here’s what has changed: According to the DEA, 129 investigations are linked to social media platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and TikTok. Everyone in the cannabis industry has seen plugs openly selling all kinds of drugs.

The last time stats like these were provided was the Phase II results of One Pill Can Kill, announced by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram last December.

The DEA says fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing this nation. “In 2021, a record number of Americans — 107,622 — died from drug poisoning or overdose,” the DEA press release said. “Sixty-six percent of these deaths are attributable to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.”

The fentanyl issue is highlighted by certain events, including a recent incident in suburban Los Angeles involving fentanyl-laced pills disguised as something else. The Pasadena Police Department confiscated 328,000 fentanyl pills in a single operation on September 24, bringing the total confiscated to approximately 708,500 pills. Just minutes away in Whittier, police seized eight pounds of fentanyl-laced pills.

For more resources for parents and the community, visit DEA’s Fentanyl Awareness page, and DEA has created a new resource, What Every Parent and Caregiver Needs to Know About Fake Pills.