DEA Launches Fentanyl Free America Initiative to Combat the Synthetic Drug Crisis
As of December 1, more than 20 million potentially fatal doses of fentanyl have been seized by members of the DEA St. Louis Field Division, encompassing Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois.
ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is intensifying its fight against the deadly threat of synthetic opioids with the launch of Fentanyl Free America, a comprehensive enforcement initiative and public awareness campaign aimed at reducing both the supply and demand for fentanyl.
Through intensified enforcement operations and heightened intelligence, DEA is applying unprecedented pressure on the global fentanyl supply chain, forcing narco-terrorists, like the Sinaloa and CJNG Cartels, to change business practices. These efforts have led to a decrease in both fentanyl powder purity and the number of fentanyl pills containing a potentially lethal dose.
As of December 1, DEA has seized more than 45 million fentanyl pills, and more than 9,320 pounds of fentanyl powder, removing an estimated 347 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl nationwide. Within the DEA St. Louis Field Division, encompassing Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois, fentanyl seizures account for the removal of more than 20 million potentially fatal doses. DEA intelligence indicates a shift in cartel operations, with increased trafficking of fentanyl powder and domestic production of fentanyl pills. The seizure of more than two dozen pill press machines in October, including two from Kansas, further highlights this trend.
“Fentanyl Free America represents DEA’s unwavering commitment to save American lives and end the fentanyl crisis, we are making significant progress in this fight, and we must continue to intensify efforts to disrupt the fentanyl supply and reduce demand,” DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said. “DEA is striking harder and evolving faster to dismantle the foreign terrorists fueling this crisis, while empowering all our partners to join the fight to prevent fentanyl-related tragedies. Together, we can achieve a fentanyl free America and create a safer future for generations to come.”
The DEA St. Louis Field Division was one of 23 domestic field divisions and seven foreign divisions that initiated Operation Fentanyl Free America in October. This targeted enforcement effort resulted in the seizure of nearly 61 pounds of fentanyl and more than 6,000 fentanyl pills along with the arrest of more than 100 individuals and seizure of 64 firearms.
"We’ve seen the devastating impact of fentanyl right here in the heartland of America,” DEA St. Louis Field Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “No state, city or county is immune to the work of these narco-terrorists. Our agents remain committed to the removal of this lethal substance and those who pedal it. And while we continue working the streets alongside our law enforcement partners, it’s paramount that we also continue sounding the alarm to the lethality of this substance.”
The threat of poly-drug organizations; cartels that traffic multiple drugs, became even more apparent during Operation Fentanyl Free America. Aside from producing less potent fentanyl, cartels have increasingly diversified their operations in an attempt to minimize their risks and maximize profits. This was evident in October with the seizure of nearly 165 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 120 pounds of cocaine across the DEA St. Louis Field Division.
DEA remains at the forefront of the fight to disrupt trafficking networks and strengthen the government’s response to this epidemic. Fentanyl Free America represents DEA’s heightened focus on enforcement, education, public awareness and strategic partnerships. The goal of the campaign is clear: eliminate the fentanyl supply fueling the nation’s deadliest drug crisis. Since 2021, synthetic opioids have claimed nearly 325,000 American lives.
The Fentanyl Free America campaign also emphasizes the importance of public engagement. DEA encourages everyone from community leaders, clergy, educators, parents, physicians, pharmacists, and law enforcement to take an active role in raising awareness by protecting others through education; preventing fentanyl overdoses by understanding the dangers; and supporting those impacted. Free resources including posters, radio advertising, billboards, and social media resources are available at dea.gov/fentanylfree.
DEA’s efforts are part of a larger whole-of-government strategy to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and protect U.S. communities from fentanyl.
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