DEA agent: Fentanyl still major threat as drugs enter U.S. from both borders

A lot has been said about drugs, especially fentanyl, coming into the United States, not just across the southern border but the northern border as well.

In his most recent speech, President Donald Trump talked about drugs being part of the reason for tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.

The ingredients or precursors needed to make fentanyl originate in China, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It’s then shipped to Mexico, where the Sinaloa and Jalisco drug cartels manufacture and ship the drugs to the U.S., mainly along Interstate 5 (I-5).

However, DEA Seattle Special Agent in Charge David Reames said drugs are also coming from Canada.

“The Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized a super lab in Falkland, British Columbia, which is just north of the border,” Reames explained. “Fifty-four kilos of finished fentanyl and massive quantity of precursor chemicals. So, we know for sure fentanyl labs are operating in British Columbia.”

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How is fentanyl entering the U.S.?

Drugs are smuggled into the U.S. in a variety of ways, such as on planes or boats, but the vast majority enter via automobile. The criminals then take the drugs up the coast via I-5, even as far as Seattle.

The trend is down, but it’s still a huge problem in this country.

“Fentanyl, last year, claimed the lives of over 100,000 people,” Reames said. “The trend is down a little bit this year, which is good news, but still, it’s the leading cause of death for adults age 18 to 45.”

The DEA said fentanyl is its number one priority worldwide.

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Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

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