Rocky Mountain Field Division Removes Almost 900,000 Potentially Deadly Doses of Fentanyl from its Communities During Operation Last Mile
Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Divisions
      • Domestic Divisions
      • Foreign Divisions
      • Operational Divisions
    • DEA Museum
    • Wall of Honor
    • Contact Us
      • Submit a Tip
      • Extortion Scam
      • Public Affairs
      • Social Media Directory
  • What We Do
    • Forensic Sciences
      • GUARDS
      • Forensic Sciences Policy
      • Forensic Science Organizations
      • Forensic Science Contact
    • Law Enforcement
      • DEA Office of Training
        • Office of Training Programs
      • El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC)
      • Intelligence
      • Operations
        • Administrative Law Judges
        • DEA Asset Forfeiture
        • Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program
        • HIDTA
        • OCDETF
    • Education and Prevention
      • Family Summit
      • Red Ribbon
      • Kiki and the History of Red Ribbon Week
      • Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community
      • DEA’s Family Summit
      • Operation Engage
      • Community Outreach
      • Just Think Twice
      • Campus Drug Prevention
      • Get Smart About Drugs
      • Operation Prevention
    • Drug Information
      • Drug Policy
      • Drug Scheduling
      • The Controlled Substances Act
    • News
      • Alerts
      • Press Releases
      • Most Wanted Fugitives
        • All Fugitives
      • Stories
      • Events
      • Speeches
      • Testimony
    • Campaigns
      • One Pill Can Kill
        • Senior Citizens
        • Partner Toolbox
        • Social Media Campaign
      • DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
  • Careers
    • Special Agent
      • Special Agent FAQs
    • Diversion Investigator
      • Diversion Investigator Job Announcement
    • Intelligence Research Specialist
      • Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements
      • Intelligence Research Specialists FAQs
      • Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist
    • Forensic Sciences Careers
    • Professional & Administrative Careers
    • Student & Entry Level Careers
    • Employment Eligibility
    • How to Apply
      • How To Claim Veterans' Preference
      • Priority Consideration
      • Benefits
      • Veterans and People With Disabilities
      • Operation Warfighter
  • Resources
    • Illegal Online Pharmacies
    • OD Justice
    • Fentanyl Supply Chain
    • Pill Press Resources
    • Recovery Resources
    • Together for Families
    • Data and Statistics
      • Domestic Arrests
      • Staffing and Budget
    • FOIA
      • About FOIA
      • Contact DEA FOIA
      • Make a Request
      • What Happens After Making a Request
      • Requester Categories
      • Fees Charged
      • Fee Waiver
      • FOIA FAQ
      • FOIA Logs and Reports
      • FOIA Library
      • Additional FOIA Links
      • FOIA Exemptions
      • What Are Exclusions?
      • Privacy Act
      • Privacy Act Exemptions
      • Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems
    • Publications
    • Media Galleries
    • Victim Witness Assistance Program
      • Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources
      • Human Trafficking Prevention

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

  • Get Updates
  • Scam Alert
  • Full Menu
  • English
  • Español

Main Menu

Explore DEA
  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Divisions
    • DEA Museum
    • Wall of Honor
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Forensic Sciences
    • Law Enforcement
    • Education and Prevention
    • Drug Information
    • News
    • Campaigns
  • Careers
    • Special Agent
    • Diversion Investigator
    • Intelligence Research Specialist
    • Forensic Sciences Careers
    • Professional & Administrative Careers
    • Student & Entry Level Careers
    • Employment Eligibility
    • How to Apply
  • Resources
    • Illegal Online Pharmacies
    • OD Justice
    • Fentanyl Supply Chain
    • Pill Press Resources
    • Recovery Resources
    • Together for Families
    • Data and Statistics
    • FOIA
    • Publications
    • Media Galleries
    • Victim Witness Assistance Program
  • Submit A Tip

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Rocky Mountain Field Division Removes Almost 900,000 Potentially Deadly Doses of Fentanyl from its Communities During Operation Last Mile

Rocky Mountain Field Division Removes Almost 900,000 Potentially Deadly Doses of Fentanyl from its Communities During Operation Last Mile

May 09, 2023
|
Share Article
|
Download Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Steffan W. Tubbs
Phone Number: 571-387-5079

Stats for the RMFD: 72 total investigations.  60 tied to Sinaloa Cartel and 12 to Jalisco Cartel.  25 pounds of fentanyl powder seized along with 375,307 fake pills, which equates to 865,092 deadly doses.  126 pounds of methamphetamine, 101 guns, $1.8 M in assets, and 65 arrests.  17 cases are tied to popular social media platforms and 25 cases are tied to encrypted apps.
RMFD OP Last Mile.PNG

DENVER– Last week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced the results of a year-long national initiative, “Operation Last Mile,” which targeted operatives, associates, and distributors affiliated with the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels.  Specifically, the operation targeted those in our communities responsible for the last mile of fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution, both on our streets and on social media.

Nationally Operation Last Mile identified 1,436 investigations conducted between May 1, 2022 through May 1, 2023, in collaboration with local, state and federal law enforcement partners.  This resulted in 3,337 arrests, the seizure of nearly 44 million fentanyl pills, more than 6,500 pounds of fentanyl powder, more than 91,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 8,497 firearms, and more than $100 million. These fentanyl seizures equate to nearly 193 million deadly doses of fentanyl removed from communities across the United States.  More than 1,100 cases involved social media applications and encrypted communications platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Wire, and Wickr.

“The Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels use multi-city distribution networks, violent local street gangs, and individual dealers across the United States to flood American communities with fentanyl and methamphetamine, drive addiction, fuel violence, and kill Americans,” said Administrator Milgram.  “What is also alarming—American social media platforms are the means by which they do so.  The Cartels use social media and encrypted platforms to run their operations and reach out to victims, and when their product kills Americans, they simply move on to try to victimize the millions of other Americans who are social media users.”

During Operation Last Mile, the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division removed more than 375,000 fentanyl pills and 25 pounds of fentanyl powder from its communities. This equates to more than 865,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl no longer available to harm our communities. Of the 72 investigations, 60 are tied to the Sinaloa Cartel and 12 to the Jalisco Cartel. In addition, the RMFD seized 126 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 100 guns, recovered $1.8 million in assets and made 65 arrests. 17 of the Rocky Mountain Field Division’s cases involved a social media platform and 25 cases were tied to an encrypted communications platform. 

Cartels often build relationships with violent local street gangs, criminal organizations and individuals to facilitate the final steps of drug transactions. These local ties are what helps the cartels flood communities with fentanyl and methamphetamine. 

“Over the last year, the Rocky Mountain Field Division was able to tie 72 cases to the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels.  These cartels thrive as a result of their relationships with local and regional distribution networks, oftentimes which are gang related. Operation Last Mile focused on those networks most responsible for the trafficking of drugs and violence here at home,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge David Olesky.  “In one example, we investigated a violent street gang and apprehended the ringleader and his associates responsible for the related drug trafficking activity. Disrupting the work of these local organizations is what will ultimately make our communities safer and healthier.  We value the support of our local, state, and federal partners who make this important work possible.”

The Rocky Mountain Field Division covers the four states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana.  With approximately 202 employees, including Special Agents, Intel Analysts, Diversion Investigators, and support staff, the DEA relies heavily upon its partnerships with state, local, and federal authorities to advance its mission.  The Rocky Mountain Field Division has approximately 136 Task Force Officers who work collaboratively with DEA personnel across the region.

Operation Last Mile is an example of DEA’s network-based approach to take out Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartel members and associates in the United States and across the globe, stop fentanyl, and save American lives.  In April 2023, the DEA and our federal partners announced the indictment of 28 members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel operating in Mexico, China, and Central America, including the leaders of the Cartel known as the “Chapitos.” 

                                                                                 # # #

Download Press Release
###
Fentanyl Methamphetamine
US Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration

Drug Enforcement Administration

Jonathan C. Pullen Special Agent in Charge - Rocky Mountain
@DEAROCKYMTNDiv
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Locator

  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Domestic Divisions
    • Foreign Offices
    • Contact Us
    • DEA Museum
  • What We Do
    • Forensic Sciences
    • Law Enforcement
    • Drug Prevention
    • Diversion Control Division
    • News
  • Careers
    • Special Agent
    • Diversion Investigator
    • Forensic Sciences
    • Intelligence Research Specialist
    • How to Apply
  • Resources
    • Drug Information
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • FOIA
    • Publications
    • Media Galleries
    • VWAP
  • Doing Business
    with the DEA
    • Overview
    • Current Vendors
    • Prospective Vendors
    • Security Clauses
    • Security Forms
    • Small Business Program
    • Vendor Engagement Request
  • Policies
    • Accessibility & Policy
    • Legal Policies & Disclaimers
    • No FEAR Act
    • Privacy Policy
    • U.S. Department of Justice EEO Policy
    • USA.gov
    • Whistleblower Protection
    • Your Rights as a Federal Employee

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DEA.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice
Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram

DEA Contact Center

(202) 307-1000 info@dea.gov
Contact the Webmaster