United States Drug Enforcement Administration

San Diego - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is recognizing the ongoing and successful efforts of Sheriff Kelly Martinez and the San Diego County Sheriff's Office in combating the fentanyl crisis.

On Monday, July 13, Sheriff Martinez was given the first-ever "Administrator’s Special Recognition Award" by DEA Administrator Terrance Cole during the DEA's inaugural Fentanyl Free America Summit in Orlando, Florida.

"This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication being shown by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office in keeping fentanyl off our streets and stopping the tragic effects of this dangerous opioid," said Sheriff Martinez. "It was powerful and moving experience for me to participate in the Fentanyl Free America Summit and meet with so many families, hearing their stories of losing loved ones to fentanyl."

Here is what the DEA had to say about Sheriff Martinez before she was honored at the Fentanyl Free America Summit:

"Sheriff Kelly Martinez has served the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office since 1985 and has held the title of Sheriff since 2022.  Sheriff Martinez spent 22 years at the rank of Deputy Sheriff working in several assignments, to include gang investigations, narcotic investigations and criminal intelligence investigator.

Sheriff Martinez was at the forefront of recognizing the scope and destruction that the opioid, and subsequent fentanyl, epidemics would bring her community and the United States as a whole.

Sheriff Martinez prioritized community engagement, enforcement, and outreach to build bridges with all community members to protect citizens and inform the community at large of the dangers of fentanyl.  

For her success in the education of her community about the fentanyl threat, the alignment of enforcement efforts against the death and destruction the poison brought and for her prioritization of the safety of her community, Sheriff Martinez is awarded the Administrator’s Special Recognition Award."

“Congratulations to Sheriff Martinez on receiving Administrator Cole’s Special Recognition Award,” said San Diego DEA Special Agent in Charge James Nunnallee. “Sheriff Martinez has been an exceptional partner in our shared mission to protect the people of San Diego. She is committed not only to public safety but to building stronger, safer communities where families can thrive. DEA is proud to stand alongside the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office and we look forward to continuing our partnership as we work together to save lives and protect our communities.”

When she took office in 2022, Sheriff Martinez created a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to combat the fentanyl crisis — one that combined:

• Enforcement to dismantle trafficking networks and remove deadly substances from our streets.
• Harm reduction, including widespread naloxone distribution and life-saving interventions.
• Education and prevention programs to inform families and empower communities.

Sheriff Martinez's strategy has saved lives and contributed to a significant decline in fentanyl-related deaths, locally and nationally.

Working with local lawmakers in recent years, Sheriff Martinez and the Sheriff Office have secured funding to support the important work of the Sheriff's Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team (FAST) in seizing illicit fentanyl and arresting those responsible for trafficking fentanyl in our region.

"Our enforcement, education, and harm‑reduction efforts would not be possible without the support of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors—particularly Supervisor Joel Anderson and Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe—as well as the State of California and Senator Brian Jones for providing essential funding to strengthen our investigations," said Sheriff Martinez. "Regional partnerships matter and we remain committed to working together to keep our communities safe."

These efforts have disrupted criminal organizations, prevented countless tragedies and saved lives.

"Through enforcement, harm reduction and education, we will continue to protect lives and secure a brighter future for everyone in San Diego County," said Sheriff Martinez.

###