Seizures increase as DEA observes National Fentanyl Awareness Day May 10

Carlsbad Current-Argus

A nationwide operation attempting to curtail violent crimes and overdoses associated with illegal fentanyl helped seize thousands of kilograms of the drug in New Mexico and West Texas during the first quarter of 2022, said a spokesperson for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) El Paso Division.

“As part of Operation Overdrive, we are doing a robust law enforcement tackling of drug trafficking organizations that are making it and that are drug trafficking it and bringing it into our country,” said Carlos Briano.

Operation Overdrive, which launched Feb. 1, used a data-driven, intelligence-led approach to identify and dismantle criminal drug networks operating in areas with the highest rates of violence and overdoses, according to a DEA news release.

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Briano said agents seized 127 kilograms of fentanyl in the El Paso Division, which covers West Texas communities of Midland, Odessa, El Paso and Alpine and all of New Mexico between January and April of this year.

Based on DEA data, fentanyl seizures could surpass the 293 kilograms of fentanyl seized in New Mexico and West Texas in 2021.

Briano said fentanyl seizures increased from 2019 when agents seized 54 kilograms and from 2020 when 47 kilograms were seized.

A photo from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration shows fake oxycodone pills. Seizures of fake pills increased in 2022 across West Texas and New Mexico.

“The majority of the pills that are flooding our country is being made by Mexican drug cartels. They’re responsible for the vast majority of the illicit fentanyl that is tracked in the U.S.,” Briano said.

He alleged the drug cartels are placing chemicals made in China in fentanyl bound for the United States.

Per DEA, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

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“Drug traffickers are increasingly mixing fentanyl with other illicit drugs—in powder and pill form—to drive addiction and create repeat customers,” read a DEA website.

“Many people who are overdosing and dying don’t even know that they are taking fentanyl."

During a 12-month period from November 2020 to November 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated nearly 107,000 people in the United States died from drug overdoses. Sixty-six percent of overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

DEA recognizes National Fentanyl Awareness Day

Briano said law enforcement efforts and awareness campaigns are two steps taken by the DEA to highlight fentanyl dangers.

May 10, DEA joined public health, law enforcement and the non-profit group “Song for Charlie” recognizing the first National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

The day was used to educate individuals about the danger’s fentanyl poses to the safety, health, and national security of the United States, according to a DEA news release.

Founded in 2020, by Ed and Mary Ternan, “Song for Charlie,” remembers their son Charlie who died weeks before his college graduation after ingesting fake medication for back pain.

A photo from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration shows real oxycodone pills. The DEA says seizures of counterfeit pills increased in West Texas and New Mexico.

“He thought he was getting Percocet and it was counterfeit poisonous pill,” said Mary Ternan in a video presentation on the group’s website.

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram stressed the dangers of fentanyl and the need for urgent action in a press release noting Fentanyl Awareness Day.

“Fentanyl is killing Americans at unprecedented rates,” said Milgram. “On this first-ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day, please help save lives by making sure you talk with your friends and family about the dangers of this deadly drug.”

More:Eddy County joins New Mexico Attorney General in national opioid settlement

Based on fentanyl’s toxicity, Briano encouraged an open dialogue year-round and not just one day.

“You everyday have to find a reason, a motive and an opportunity to talk with your loved ones about these dangers,” he said.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.

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