Texas Border Business
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
LOS ANGELES –Marking a powerful start to 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks during Phase II of Operation Fentanyl Free America. Between January 12 and February 10, 2026, DEA seized more than 4.7 million fentanyl pills and nearly 2,396 pounds of fentanyl powder resulting in more than 57 million deadly doses of fentanyl removed from communities in just thirty-days.
Eliminating the threat of fentanyl remains a top priority for DEA. By dismantling these complex transnational criminal organizations and disrupting the intricate illicit financial systems that fund the cartels, DEA is upholding its commitment to the American people to make their communities safer.
“The drug poisoning epidemic has been cultivated by designated terrorist cartels who operate like multi-billion-dollar corporations and have weaponized fentanyl with the clear objective to increase America’s dependence on illicit drugs,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “It will take a targeted, collaborative response to preserve our future. Drug seizures in the United States strike directly at cartel profits, while efforts to disrupt supply chains and dismantle money laundering networks deliver consequences far beyond our borders. Meanwhile, we must reach into our communities nationwide and share the simple truth: One Pill Can Kill. Enforcement saves lives. Education prevents the next tragedy. Together, we can end this crisis.”
“For some families, a chair remains empty at the dinner table. Graduations, weddings, and other would-be milestones are excruciating reminders of a void that can’t be filled—of a life taken too soon. We know fentanyl is the culprit,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division. “The Fentanyl Free America campaign is our promise to those families, and to all Americans, that DEA’s battle against fentanyl is ever resolute. We have launched a targeted, maximum-effort crackdown against drug cartels and global drug networks that operate an assembly line of poison. We will halt the flow of fentanyl. Just as important, DEA will continue to work with families, educators, health partners, and other community stakeholders to share drug education and draw awareness to the dangers of fentanyl and other destructive drugs.”
Synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine are manufactured on an industrial scale in poly-drug clandestine labs, often using precursor chemicals and pill presses. Transnational criminal organizations often deal in multiple substances, which is reflected in the results of this surge. During this thirty-day operation, DEA also seized 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 led to more than 3,000 arrests nationwide.
DEA launched the Fentanyl Free America initiative in October 2025 with a renewed focus on targeted 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 Fentanyl Free America initiative.
The DEA Los Angeles Field Division reported significant enforcement outcomes, including 104 arrests, the seizure of over $7 million U.S. Dollars in illicit proceeds, and the removal of 131,400 fentanyl pills from communities, preventing thousands of potential lethal doses from reaching communities.
Other Significant Fentanyl Free America Phase II Division Results:
- The DEA Louisville Field Division’s Chattanooga Resident Office seized approximately 17 kilograms of fentanyl, two industrial grade pill presses, and two kilo-brick presses in January. This single seizure prevented nearly 9 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from reaching the American public.
- An enforcement operation in Baltimore resulted in 43 arrests and the seizure of 7 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of a heroin, fentanyl mixture, 2 kilograms of fentanyl and 1,200 pounds of marijuana, 13 firearms and more than $200,000.
- An operation in Tucson, AZ resulted in the seizure of nearly 600,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, preventing nearly 173,000 potential fentanyl poisonings.
- The DEA New York Task Force removed 60,000 fentanyl pills from circulation following the arrest of a cartel-linked distributor.
- Richie Pharmacal, a pharmaceutical distributor in Glasgow, Kentucky, received an Immediate Suspension Order (ISO) at the beginning of February for alleged compliance discrepancies and violations of the Controlled Substances Act.
Information source: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
