New Jersey
More than 46,000 fentanyl pills seized in New Jersey in just 30 days
More than 57 million deadly doses of fentanyl have been seized through the United States in just 30 days, including 46,000 in New Jersey.
The seizures were made in the second phase of Operation Fentanyl Free America, led by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The second phase of Operation Fentanyl Free America took place between Jan. 12 and Feb. 10 with the seizure of more than 4.7 million fentanyl pills and nearly 2,396 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 30-day enforcement effort led to more than 3,000 arrests across the U.S., and the removal of more than 57 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from circulation.
“Families across America are losing loved ones to the fentanyl being pushed by drug cartels that care only about making a profit. The DEA is attacking this threat with unwavering determination to protect our communities,” said DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James in a news release. “Phase II of this operation saw the men and women of DEA in New Jersey seize more than 46,000 fentanyl pills, 18 guns, almost $250,000.00 in drug money, and make 37 arrests. We will continue to work to stop this threat and make saving lives our top priority.”
DEA agents also recovered 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 made more than 3,000 arrests.
The DEA launched the Fentanyl Free America initiative in October. The campaign targets 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 initiative.
The DEA New York Task Force also removed 60,000 fentanyl pills from circulation following the arrest of a cartel-linked distributor.
For more information on the DEA, visit www.dea.gov.
Email: bwadlow@MyCentralJersey.com
This story was created by reporter Brad Wadlow, bwadlow@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.