Federal law enforcement in July seized more fentanyl from drug smugglers attempting to slip it into the United States across the nation’s borders than in any month in history.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the federal agency that inspects and patrols the country’s land, air, and sea borders, reported seizing 2,130 pounds of fentanyl last month, three times the 702 pounds that its law enforcement personnel intercepted in June. The 2,130 pounds from July is significantly higher than the previous record set in April: 1,292 pounds.
The unprecedented amount of fentanyl intercepted indicates the rate at which Mexican cartels are attempting to push it into the U.S.
"This is only the fentanyl that is being seized as the vast majority is getting through undetected according to the [Drug Enforcement Administration]," Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), the ranking member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said in a statement Tuesday. "The lack of responsible border policies by this administration is allowing Mexican transnational criminal organizations to push deadly substances into communities in Ohio and traffic unlawful migrants into the country."
