Governor Gianforte on fentanyl in MT: “Serious, serious problem”

BOZEMAN — Governor Greg Gianforte says fentanyl is a “severe, major problem” in Montana.

On Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, Gianforte will host a press convention in Gallatin County with officers and legislation enforcement on the fentanyl disaster in Montana.

The press convention will function remarks by U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Legal professional Normal Austin Knudsen, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer, Montana Freeway Patrol Colonel Steve Lavin, and Administrator of the Montana Division of Justice’s Division of Felony Investigation Bryan Lockerby, in addition to the governor.

In keeping with the Montana Division of Justice, legislation enforcement in Montana has seized [dojmt.gov] almost twice the quantity of fentanyl within the first six months of 2022 than the earlier three years mixed. Deaths resulting from fentanyl have additionally elevated in Montana. Information from the state crime lab exhibits fentanyl-linked deadly overdoses are up 1100% since 2017.

Nationwide, fentanyl exercise is on the rise because the drug is pushed throughout the U.S. southern border and into the inside by Mexican drug cartels. In keeping with the U.S. Division of Justice [justice.gov], “Mexican cartels are more and more manufacturing fentanyl for distribution and sale in the USA. Precursors are imported from China and different international locations after which pressed into capsules, powder, or blended into different medicine at large, industrial-scale labs.”

In July, U.S. Customs and Border Safety noticed a 200% enhance in fentanyl seizures over the earlier month, because the U.S. Division of Justice declared [justice.gov] San Diego ports of entry as a nationwide epicenter for fentanyl trafficking. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has acknowledged [dea.gov] fentanyl is “driving the nationwide overdose epidemic.”

In a press launch, Gianforte acknowledged to deliver an finish to the general public well being and nationwide safety disaster on the southern border, he and different governors final fall outlined [news.mt.gov] ten commonsense steps for the Biden administration to take to safe the border. The governors’ request has gone unanswered.

In keeping with the discharge, absent federal motion, Gov. Gianforte this spring joined the American Governors’ Border Strike Power, a collaborative effort amongst 26 states to safe the border. Amongst different focuses, the strike pressure is working to enhance coordination and communication to fight drug trafficking.

Here is a have a look at the press convention: