United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW YORK – Marking a powerful start to 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks during Phase II of our nationwide Operation Fentanyl Free America. Between January 12 and February 10, 2026, DEA seized more than 4.7 million fentanyl pills and nearly 2,396 pounds of fentanyl powder resulting in more than 57 million deadly doses of fentanyl removed from communities in just thirty-days.  In New York, the DEA seized more than 520,000 thousand fentanyl pills and nearly 165 pounds of fentanyl powder resulting in more than 4.5 million deadly doses of fentanyl removed from our New York communities in just thirty-days

Eliminating the threat of fentanyl remains a top priority for DEA.  By dismantling these complex transnational criminal organizations and disrupting the intricate illicit financial systems that fund the cartels, DEA is upholding its commitment to the American people to make their communities safer. 

“This enforcement surge represents DEA’s unwavering commitment to a fentanyl free America” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “Working alongside our partners, we are intensifying our efforts to identify, target, and dismantle the networks responsible for flooding our communities with this deadly poison.”

“As fentanyl continues to threaten lives across this nation and here in New York City, our DEA New York Task Force Division is surging resources to protect our communities and eliminate those threats” stated DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts. “This is about saving lives and holding those accountable who profit from death. The DEA New York Task Force has and will continue to do everything we can to fight this drug epidemic head on.”

Synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine are manufactured on an industrial scale in poly-drug clandestine labs, often using precursor chemicals and pill presses. Transnational criminal organizations often deal in multiple substances, which is reflected in the results of this surge. During this thirty-day nationwide operation, DEA also seized 147,797 pounds of cocaine, nearly 21,000 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 26 million methamphetamine pills, 1,183 pounds of heroin, 65,000 pounds of illicit marijuana, more than 1,500 firearms, and led to more than 3,000 arrests nationwide. 

DEA launched the Fentanyl Free America initiative in October 2025 with a renewed focus on targeted enforcement operations on illicit drug networks, ensuring DEA registrants are working within the closed system of distribution, and increasing public awareness to reduce both the supply and demand of illicit drugs. This was the second targeted enforcement operation under the Fentanyl Free America initiative.

Significant Fentanyl Free America Phase II Division Results:

• The DEA Louisville Field Division’s Chattanooga Resident Office seized approximately 17 kilograms of fentanyl, two industrial grade pill presses, and two kilo-brick presses in January. This single seizure prevented nearly 9 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from reaching the American public.

   

• An enforcement operation in Baltimore resulted in 43 arrests and the seizure of 7 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of a heroin, fentanyl mixture, 2 kilograms of fentanyl and 1,200 pounds of marijuana, 13 firearms and more than $200,000. 

   

• An operation in Tucson, AZ resulted in the seizure of nearly 600,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, preventing nearly 173,000 potential fentanyl poisonings.

• The DEA New York Task Force removed 60,000 fentanyl pills from circulation following the arrest of a cartel-linked distributor.

   

• Richie Pharmacal, a pharmaceutical distributor in Glasgow, Kentucky, received an Immediate Suspension Order (ISO) at the beginning of February for alleged compliance discrepancies and violations of the Controlled Substances Act.   

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DEA is unwavering in its commitment to achieve a Fentanyl Free America.  We encourage every American to join the fight for a safer, secure future where families continue to make memories and communities are protected from the scourge of synthetic opioids.

Visit DEA.gov/fentanylfree and get involved.