Sen. Tim Scott includes fentanyl legislation against Mexican drug cartels in Senate defense bill.
Senate Adds Legislation Targeting Fentanyl Trafficking to National Defense Authorization Act
Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate have taken a significant step in combatting the trafficking of fentanyl into American communities. They have included legislation aimed at transnational criminal organizations involved in this illicit trade in their version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, a Republican presidential candidate, introduced the ”Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence Off Fentanyl Act.” This standalone legislation specifically targets the financial assets of major Mexican Cartel organizations that collaborate with synthetic opioid traffickers and suppliers.
“Mexican traffickers and Chinese drug suppliers are fueling America’s fentanyl crisis,” Scott stated in an interview with The Daily Wire.
According to the bill, U.S. government agencies could enhance current laws to disrupt illicit opioid supply chains and penalize those facilitating the trafficking of fentanyl. The bill would also aim to hold accountable imposed sanctions on the illicit drug trade and on those who profit from the transactions through money laundering schemes.
Fentanyl overdoses have tragically become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45 in recent years, as reported by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In 2021 alone, over 107,000 Americans lost their lives due to violence and drug overdoses linked to the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation criminal organizations, two major Mexican drug cartels.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram emphasized the severity of the situation during a budget hearing earlier this year, stating, “The drug cartels responsible for bringing fentanyl into this country are ruthless and extremely violent criminal enterprises. They rely on a global supply chain to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, and they rely on a global illicit financial network to pocket billions of dollars.”
DEA’s Efforts to Combat the Fentanyl Crisis
DEA officials have been actively addressing the multi-faceted fentanyl crisis for the past three years. The deadly opioid’s flow has become more diverse since its emergence in 2014. Mexico and China, along with India, are the primary sources of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the United States.
Last year, DEA officials seized a staggering 379 million deadly doses of fentanyl, enough to supply a lethal dose to every American. Sen. Scott’s press release highlighted the alarming increase in fentanyl-related deaths and emphasized the role of chemical suppliers in China and Mexican drug cartels in this crisis.
“By including this bill in the NDAA, we’re one step closer to ensuring our country can defend our communities from this deadly drug and protecting our national security,” Scott added.
The defense policy bill, including the anti-fentanyl trafficking legislation, is set for a vote in the Senate this week. Since its introduction in April, the legislation has gained support from at least 62 Senate cosponsors.
The House, led by the GOP, has already passed its version of the NDAA. However, it includes conservative provisions that face challenges in the Democrat-controlled Senate. These provisions include restrictions on Pentagon funding for travel related to abortions and transgender procedures for military service members.
Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.
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