Report: Biden-Harris Admin Seizes 34.3 Tons of Lethal Fentanyl
This amount of fentanyl could potentially kill more people than the entire global population, Breitbart reported.
This alarming information comes courtesy of data compiled from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Anne Milgram, the DEA administrator, highlighted the unprecedented crisis, stating, "Cartels are killing Americans with fentanyl at catastrophic and record rates like we’ve never seen before."
Since taking office, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have primarily intercepted 34.3 tons of fentanyl at the U.S. southern border, demonstrating the administration's ongoing battle against drug trafficking and the nation's fentanyl epidemic.
Fentanyl's Potency and the Scale of Seizures
Fentanyl, significantly stronger than most other opioids, is deemed 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Experts assert that a mere two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, which underscores the gravity of the amount seized.
In September of this fiscal year alone, the total amount of fentanyl seized was equivalent to approximately 491 million lethal doses. The quantities involved paint a dire picture of the potential deaths averted due to these law enforcement efforts.
DEA and CBP data reveal that the 34.3 tons seized since the start of the Biden-Harris administration were part of an overall 37.4 tons captured over the past four fiscal years. This data began to be comprehensively tracked starting from Fiscal Year 2021.
Disturbing Fentanyl Fatality Statistics
The widespread impact of fentanyl within the U.S. has become increasingly alarming. A Washington Post report illustrates the tragic reality, with one person dying from a fentanyl overdose every seven minutes on average.
The RNC's analysis of the DEA and CBP data suggests that the fentanyl seized in just the last four years could potentially kill about 15.6 billion people. Such figures highlight the extreme lethality of the drug and the crucial nature of the seizures.
A continued increase in fentanyl-related deaths marks a concerning trend, with American fatalities due to fentanyl spiking by 94 percent since 2019. This stark increase underscores the urgency of intensifying efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking and distribution.
Policy Implications and Ongoing Challenges
The Biden-Harris administration's drug interdiction efforts are critical in addressing the ongoing fentanyl crisis. While the seizures represent a significant accomplishment, they also reflect the immense scale of the challenge still ahead.
As law enforcement agencies like the DEA and CBP work to stifle the flow of fentanyl across U.S. borders, their successes underscore both the potential lives saved and the continuous threat posed by synthetic opioids trafficked by powerful cartels.
Given the current situation, tackling the fentanyl crisis requires not only robust border security measures but also comprehensive strategies that encompass prevention, treatment, and international cooperation to target the production and trafficking networks overseas.
Continued Vigilance and Future Strategies
The detailed findings by the RNC based on DEA and CBP data serve as a sobering reminder of the ongoing opioid epidemic, bringing to light both achievements and challenges.
The administration, in partnership with federal and international agencies, remains committed to curbing this deadly trend.
Given the rapid increase in fentanyl-related fatalities, public awareness and ongoing support for enforcement activities remain vital.
The path forward involves sustained vigilance and collaboration across multiple fronts to ensure the safety and health of communities nationwide.
As fentanyl continues to impact lives across the U.S., the necessity for focused and sustained efforts becomes increasingly clear, aiming for a future where the tide of this devastating epidemic can finally begin to turn.