DOJ Uncovers Cross-Country Fentanyl Distribution Network
OAN’s Taylor Tinsley
5:50 PM – Monday, November 20, 2023
The Department of Justice has charged nearly two dozen people in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.
On Monday, DOJ officials announced the fourth superseding indictment in the case that charges 23 alleged members of a fentanyl distribution network responsible for bringing hundreds of thousands of fake pills resembling oxycodone from California to Washington DC.
“In this case alone we have seized to date over 20 kilograms of fentanyl powder and approximately a quarter million pills,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves.
The multi-state operation kicked off in April of 2021, after DC resident Diamond Lynch relapsed and reached out to her old supplier. She was given a fake pill and overdosed.
Officials from both the DOJ and Drug Enforcement Administration continue to emphasize that “one pill can kill.” Her dealer has since been convicted and sentenced to 140 months in federal prison.
“Our prosecutors and law enforcement partners followed the evidence, we expanded our investigation and identified each wrong of this fentanyl supply network and have charged 26 defendants to date,” Graves said.
DEA administrator Anne Milgram said the distribution conspiracy started with pills sourced from Mexico, but the network wouldn’t have been possible without Instagram.
Milgram said almost every single defendant used the social media platform to find sources of supply, new avenues of distribution, the amount of pills they were ordering, coordinating shipments and more.
The DEA administrator said they were allowed to investigate the direct messages through search warrants. However, she said this line of work could become even more difficult to prevent in future cases if social media companies “implement warrant proof end to end encryption,” which turns a blind eye to criminals who run operations through their platform.
“Meta, the company that owns Instagram, announced this past August that it intends to do just that,” Milgram said. “This is the unprecedented threat that we are dealing with and it is the reason why 110,757 Americans died from drug poisoning in the year 2022.”
Milgram echoed the DEA’s vow to leave no stone unturned. She promised to follow more leads but affirmed “we all need to do more” to end the fentanyl crisis.
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How many individuals were charged by the Department of Justice in the large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy?
Title: Department of Justice Charges Nearly Two Dozen in Large-Scale Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy
Introduction
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently made significant strides in combating the fentanyl crisis by charging nearly two dozen individuals involved in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. This article highlights the details of the case, emphasizing the dangers associated with counterfeit pills and the role of social media platforms in facilitating illicit drug distribution.
Details of the Case
According to the DOJ, the superseding indictment, unveiled on Monday, identifies and charges 23 alleged members of a fentanyl distribution network that transported thousands of fake pills resembling oxycodone from California to Washington DC. These fake pills, which were found to contain deadly amounts of fentanyl, pose a severe risk to public health and safety.
Quantities Seized
U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves announced that law enforcement authorities have seized over 20 kilograms of fentanyl powder and approximately a quarter million pills thus far in connection with this case. These substantial quantities underscore the scale and magnitude of the fentanyl crisis facing the nation.
Impact on the Community
The investigation into this fentanyl distribution network commenced in April of 2021 after a DC resident, Diamond Lynch, relapsed and obtained a fake pill from her previous supplier, resulting in a near-fatal overdose. Since then, Lynch’s dealer has been convicted and sentenced to 140 months in federal prison.
Prosecution Efforts
U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves highlighted the extensive efforts made by prosecutors and law enforcement partners to identify and charge all individuals connected to this fentanyl supply network. To date, 26 defendants have been charged, reflecting the commitment to bring all wrongdoers to justice.
Role of Social Media Platforms
DEA administrator Anne Milgram emphasized the pivotal role that social media, specifically Instagram, played in the operation of this distribution network. Most, if not all, of the defendants relied on the platform for sourcing supplies, coordinating shipments, and expanding their distribution networks. It is crucial to note that law enforcement’s ability to access direct messages through search warrants aided in this investigation. However, Milgram warned that future cases may become significantly more challenging to prevent if social media companies implement “warrant-proof end-to-end encryption,” potentially enabling criminals to operate with impunity.
Meta’s Announcement and the Fentanyl Crisis
Notably, Milgram mentioned Meta, the company that owns Instagram, announced its intention to implement such encryption measures. This development poses an unprecedented threat to law enforcement in combating drug trafficking. Milgram connected the dire consequences of the fentanyl crisis, which claimed the lives of 110,757 Americans in 2022, to the need for continued vigilance and collective action.
Conclusion
The DOJ’s recent charges against nearly two dozen individuals involved in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy demonstrate the government’s dedication to combating the fentanyl crisis. The dangers associated with counterfeit pills and the crucial role of social media platforms in drug distribution have also been underscored. It is imperative for both law enforcement agencies and social media companies to work together to find a balance between privacy and public safety in order to prevent future tragedies caused by deadly substances like fentanyl.
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