Fentanyl seizures by law enforcement have increased fourfold between 2017 and 2023, according to a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The data, sourced from the federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, shows a significant rise in fentanyl seizures, with the number of pills containing fentanyl seized skyrocketing from 50,000 in 2017 to over 115 million in 2023.
Pills disguised as imitators are becoming more common, accounting for half of illicit fentanyl seizures in 2023 compared to 10 percent in 2017. The primary source of fentanyl that is smuggled into the U.S. is cited as China, with the Chinese government subsidizing the manufacturing and exporting of illicit fentanyl.
Online shopping is a common way for fentanyl-containing pills to reach U.S. residents, with many buyers unaware that the drug they purchased has been cut with the powerful opioid. The demographic of buyers is concerning, with an increase in overdose fatalities among older individuals and young people who are not seeking out heroin or fentanyl.
Florida saw the highest number of fentanyl seizures in 2023, followed by Arizona and California. The West region accounted for the most pills seized in the U.S., with California having the highest number of total pills with illicit fentanyl. The increase in fentanyl seizures in the West compared to other regions is highlighted in the study.
The main reason drug dealers are pushing more fentanyl into the U.S. is for profit, as fentanyl is more lucrative than heroin. Fentanyl test strips and naloxone are mentioned as effective tools for combating opioid harm and overdose, as they are relatively affordable options.
