Federal and Local Authorities Announce New Cases in Response to Deadly Fentanyl Epidemic

May 9, 2023, 1:30 am 24.9k Views 134 Comments

By the Department of Justice

Law enforcement officials today announced a dozen new federal cases targeting fentanyl dealers who, in all but one case, allegedly sold fentanyl and fake pills containing fentanyl that directly resulted in the death of at least one victim. The 12th case charges an alleged dealer who distributed fentanyl to teenage girls who suffered overdoses and required hospitalization.

In another matter announced today, a man who sold fentanyl through several dark web marketplaces has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges, admitting that his products caused the death of three individuals and that he sold fentanyl-laced pills to two others who died soon after.

The announcement was made at a news conference in which federal authorities, joined by a host of local law enforcement leaders, discussed their ongoing efforts to combat the proliferation of fentanyl, the extremely powerful synthetic opioid that is found in many illicit drugs and is killing approximately 70,000 Americans every year.

“We are fully committed to combating the fentanyl crisis, which is wreaking so much destruction across this nation,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Those who traffic in fentanyl should be on notice that our office will hold you accountable and the consequences will be severe. The deadly risks of fentanyl are well known. The cases announced today charge drug dealers who have caused the death or injury of others, and thereby prioritized greed over human life. These cases that focus on fentanyl distribution resulting in death are the result of an unprecedented level of cooperation between federal agents and local authorities throughout our district.”


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“The two main drivers that are causing fentanyl related deaths in our community and throughout the nation are accessibility and deception,” said DEA Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner. “Social media platforms have made fentanyl widely available to anyone with a smartphone and made every neighborhood an open-air drug market. The deceptive marketing tactics used by the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have created a vast pool of victims who unknowingly ingested fentanyl and did not make a choice to be harmed or die. Through the DEA Overdose Justice Task Force we continue to send a strong message to individuals who engage in drug trafficking resulting in death or great bodily injury that selling even one fentanyl pill will have significant consequences in the federal criminal justice system.”

“Drug traffickers operating on the darknet use encrypted communications and decentralized currency in an attempt to conceal their illicit trade, but the joint efforts announced today are evidence that their perceived anonymity is a myth,” said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to identify drug trafficking on the darknet, including sales of pills pressed with fentanyl, a poisonous ingredient that’s led to an unprecedented number of deaths in the United States each year.”

The 12 new cases being announced today are a result of the ongoing efforts of the Overdose Justice Task Force, a DEA-led project designed to investigate fatal fentanyl poisonings and identify the individuals who provided the fentanyl that directly caused the deaths. Under the Overdose Justice program for the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division, DEA agents have established collaborative relationships with local law enforcement agencies across the seven counties that make up the Central District of California. Local authorities are almost always the first to respond to an overdose death, and DEA agents have provided training to dozens of local agencies to help them analyze evidence to determine if there are circumstances that might lead to a federal criminal prosecution.

Since the project’s launch in 2018, and including the cases announced today, the United States Attorney’s Office has filed charges against 64 defendants who allegedly sold drugs that resulted in a fatal fentanyl poisoning.

OVERDOSE JUSTICE TASK FORCE CASES

The United States Attorney’s Office and the DEA today announced 12 cases that charged 13 defendants. Most of the defendants discussed below have entered not guilty pleas to the charges containing in indictments issued by federal grand juries.

  • U.S. v. Benavides-Schorgi

Adrian Benavides-Schorgi, 22, of the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, is accused of selling counterfeit pills containing fentanyl that led to life-threatening overdoses of two 15-year-old girls in Santa Monica who thought they were buying ecstasy. Benavides-Schorgi was charged by a federal grand jury with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury for the alleged narcotics sale on May 24, 2022. Benavides-Schorgi was arrested on April 27, and he was ordered held without bond at a hearing the following day. A trial in this matter is scheduled for June 20. The DEA and the Santa Monica Police Department are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy Beecher of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Galvan

Heriberto Galvan, 24, of North Hollywood, was arrested last week on charges of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, distribution and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm and a short-barrel rifle in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and possession of an unregistered firearm. The indictment alleges that Galvan distributed fentanyl on December 4, 2021 to a 19-year-old man from La Cañada Flintridge who was found dead in his car the next day. Galvan allegedly distributed fentanyl in another transaction on January 19, 2022. A subsequent search of Galvan’s residence led to the discovery of more fentanyl and cocaine, along with a short-barrel AR-type “ghost gun.” Galvan was named in a six-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on May 5, and he was arrested later that day. Galvan was arraigned on Monday and was ordered held in custody without bond pending a trial scheduled for July 11. The DEA and the Glendale Police Department are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Alix McKenna of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Gutierrez

Juan Carlos Gutierrez, 32, of Montebello, was arrested on May 2 after being indicted on a charge of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. On December 9, 2022, Gutierrez distributed fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 34-year-old man at a Long Beach drug treatment facility the next day. At his arraignment on May 5, Guiterrez was ordered held without bond, and a trial was scheduled for June 27. The DEA and the Long Beach Police Department are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda B. Elbogen of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section and Jeremy Beecher of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Wendel and Villapania

Kaelen Jacobkeali Wendel, 31, of Lompoc, and Michael Villapania, 35, of Santa Barbara, were indicted on a charge of distributing fentanyl that led to the death of one jail inmate and serious bodily injury to a second. Early on October 20, 2022, two male inmates at the Santa Barbara Northern County Jail overdosed on fentanyl. Custody deputies and medical personnel at the jail administered CPR and Narcan on both inmates. They were able to save one inmate, “J.V.,” however, the second inmate, “E.E.,” did not survive. The investigation revealed that Wendel, a new inmate at the facility, brought fentanyl into the unit, and Villapania, who knew both Wendel and J.V., brokered a deal with J.V. in which Villapania allegedly sold some of the drugs in exchange for commissary items. J.V., in turn, allegedly shared some of the drugs with his cellmate, E.E., the inmate who died after ingesting the fentanyl. The indictment was filed on February 10, Villapania was arraigned on March 23, and Wendel was arraigned on April 24. Both men are being held without bond pending trial. The DEA and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Suria M. Bahadue of the Criminal Appeals Section is prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Cruz

Javier Carlos “Juvy” Cruz, 22, of Ontario, was arrested April 21 after being indicted on drug distribution and weapons charges. The five-count indictment alleges that Cruz sold fentanyl to an Ontario man on November 11, 2022. The 26-year-old victim died the next day, and a toxicologist determined that fentanyl toxicity was the cause of death. During the subsequent investigation by the DEA and the Ontario Police Department, Cruz was the subject of a search on December 27, 2022, which led to the discovery of fentanyl on his person and nearly 1,500 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. Investigators also seized three semiautomatic handguns from Cruz’s residence. The indictment charges Cruz with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Cruz is currently detained pending his June 13 trial date. Assistant United States Attorneys Pete Dahlquist and Miles J. Robinson of the Riverside Branch Office are prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Diaz

Luis Enrique Diaz, 22, of Victorville, was arrested April 21 after being indicted on charges of distributing fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 28-year-old Hesperia man. When contacted by law enforcement on April 10, 2021 – the day after the victim died – authorities allegedly recovered additional fake pills from Diaz’s person. The indictment charges Diaz with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with the intent to distributed fentanyl. Diaz is currently detained pending a trial scheduled for June 13. This case is being investigated by the DEA and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Pete Dahlquist of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Alvarado

Dominick Kingdiamond Alvarado, 22, of Tarzana, was arrested May 3 on charges of distributing fentanyl in form of fake Percocet pills that caused the deaths of an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl. Alvarado allegedly sold fake pills laced with fentanyl to a group of young people in a transaction in Valencia on July 11, 2022. Two days later, an 18-year-old Santa Clarita resident was found dead by his brother. Ten days after the first death, Alvarado allegedly sold fake pills containing fentanyl to another group of teenagers at the same mall in Valencia where the prior transaction took place. Following this second sale, a 17-year-old girl died of fentanyl poisoning after ingesting the narcotics and suffering an overdose in a Santa Clarita park. Following his arrest, Alvarado was ordered held without bond, and a trial was scheduled for June 27. The DEA and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are conducting the investigation this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Alix McKenna and J’me K. Forrest of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Brunfman

Kimber Brunfman, 26, of East Brunswick, New Jersey, was arrested on May 2, after being charged by a grand jury with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. The indictment alleges that Brunfman, in the days after Thanksgiving 2022, distributed fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 26-year-old Thousand Oaks man. The investigation in this case revealed that Brunfman allegedly mailed the fentanyl from Philadelphia to the victim in California. Brunfman was ordered detained in New Jersey, and he is expected to be arraigned in Los Angeles in the coming weeks. The DEA and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Laura A. Alexander of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Villegas

Joshua Villegas, 25, of Torrance, was arrested April 21 pursuant to a federal grand jury indictment charging him with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. On May 30, 2020, Villegas allegedly distributed fentanyl, which resulted in the death of a person who lived in the same apartment complex.The investigation revealed that Villegas used Instagram to negotiate the drug deal. Following the arrest, a United States magistrate judge ordered Villegas jailed without bond. A jury trial in this matter is scheduled for June 13. The DEA and the Torrance Police Department are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Declan T. Conroy of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Campos

Edgar Arturo Campos, 27, of Coachella, was arrested March 13 on a federal grand jury indictment charging him with one count of distribution of fentanyl and cocaine resulting in death. On December 12, 2020, Campos allegedly sold cocaine and fentanyl to the 23-year-old victim, who ingested the drugs the next morning. The victim’s parents found her body in her bedroom in La Quinta. Evidence shows the victim and Campos allegedly negotiated a drug deal in the hours prior to her death. Campos is free on $35,000 bond. His trial is scheduled to start on August 15 in United States District Court in Riverside. The DEA and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are investigating this matter. Special Assistant United States Attorney Stephen T. Merrill of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Maya

Sergio Maya, 32, of Lake Elsinore, was indicted on March 29 and charged with one count of distribution of fluorofentanyl and fentanyl resulting in death. During the early morning hours May 26, 2022, the victim allegedly met with Maya to purchase fentanyl. The victim’s body was discovered by his roommate, who notified law enforcement. Toxicology tests indicated the presence of fentanyl and fluorofentanyl – a fentanyl analogue chemically similar to fentanyl – in the victim’s body. Maya is currently in state custody for an unrelated state criminal case. He will make his initial appearance in United States District Court in Riverside at the conclusion of the state criminal case. The DEA and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are investigating this matter. Special Assistant United States Attorney Stephen T. Merrill of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

  • U.S. v. Varvara

John Nicholas Varvara, 31, of Mission Viejo, was arrested March 1 pursuant to a grand jury indictment that accuses him of distributing fentanyl resulting in death. The charge stems from a December 5, 2021 sale to a 27-year-old man who died at his father’s Huntington Beach residence two days later. A trial in this matter is scheduled for March 24, 2024. This matter is being investigated by the DEA and the Huntington Beach Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Nikki Elkerton of the Santa Ana Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

 

In relation to the pending cases noted above, indictments contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) Team

The final case being announced is the product of an investigation by the FBI under auspices of the FBI-led JCODE team, which the Justice Department established to lead and coordinate government efforts to detect, disrupt and dismantle major criminal enterprises reliant on the darknet for trafficking opioids and other illicit narcotics.

  • U.S. v. Srinivasan

Rajiv Srinivasan, 37, of Houston, has agreed to plead guilty to distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, acknowledging that his drug trafficking activities caused at least three deaths.

In a plea agreement filed April 20, Srinivasan operated the account “redlightlabs” on multiple marketplaces on the dark web, where he advertised and sold fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. In addition to operating under the greater anonymity offered on the dark web, Srinivasan further admitted he tried to evade law enforcement by using encrypted messaging applications and asked for payment to be made in cryptocurrency.

Srinivasan admitted in the plea agreement that over approximately nine months in 2022, he and his co-defendant “engaged in at least 3,800 drug transactions with approximately 1,500 customers across the country, selling at least 123,688 pills resembling M30 pills which in fact contained fentanyl,” in addition to approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine and lesser quantities of fentanyl powder, black tar heroin, and cocaine.

Srinivasa admitted that the drug sales in 2022 directly led to fatal overdoses of three individuals who resided in Fort Collins, Colorado; The Villages, Florida; and Fayetteville, Arkansas. In the plea agreement, Srinivasan further admitted he and his co-defendant distributed fake pills to two other individuals – one in Livonia, Michigan; the other in Santa Cruz – “who died of drug overdoses shortly after receiving the fentanyl-laced pills.”

Srinivasan is scheduled to formally plead guilty on June 5 in United States District Court in Los Angeles. Following the entry of his guilty pleas to the two charges, Srinivasan will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a potential sentence of life without parole.

The second defendant charged by a federal grand jury in this case – Michael Ta, 24, of Westminster – is currently scheduled to go on trial on November 14.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregg E. Marmaro of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section is prosecuting this case.

Northern Branch Jail Fentanyl Overdose Amongst Indictments by United States Attorney

Update by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

 

Earlier today, Sheriff Brown joined federal authorities and law enforcement leaders at a news conference where officials announced a dozen new federal cases targeting fentanyl dealers who, in all but one case, allegedly sold fentanyl and fake pills containing fentanyl that directly resulted in the death of at least one victim. The announcement, made on Fentanyl Awareness Day, includes the indictment of Kaelen Wendel and Michael Villapania for distributing fentanyl that led to the death of one jail inmate and serious bodily injury to a second at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Northern Branch Jail on Thursday, October 20, 2022.

An intensive investigation was conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Bureau, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, revealing that 31-year-old Kaelen Wendel of Lompoc, an inmate who had been arrested for outstanding property crime warrants, had smuggled fentanyl into the jail and into the housing unit where the overdose occurred. 35-year-old Michael Villapania of Santa Barbara, an inmate who had been arrested for an outstanding probation warrant, a property crime warrant, and a warrant for bringing narcotics into jail, conspired with Wendel to sell some of the Fentanyl in exchange for jail commissary items.

Sheriff Brown said, “Law enforcement agencies nationwide are working to combat the fentanyl crisis through various strategies, including increased border security, enhanced drug interdiction efforts, and targeted enforcement against drug traffickers. In response to this crisis, law enforcement agencies have also had to adapt their approach to protecting our communities from the scourge of fentanyl. We are working in partnership with public health officials and community members, leaders, and organizations to increase awareness and educate the public about the dangers of Fentanyl, and to make substance use treatment available to those who are addicted, and to adopt harm-reduction strategies including widespread distribution of Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. But prevention, treatment, and harm reduction effort alone are not going to solve the Fentanyl problem our nation grapples with today. We must also resolutely enforce the laws against those who cavalierly manufacture and distribute dangerous drugs like Fentanyl without any regard for the lethal consequences of their reckless actions.”

Sheriff Brown closed by thanking the United States Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their partnership and dedication to this investigation, which led to the indictment of Kaelen Wendel and Michael Villapania. He said, “Today we send a strong message to those in Santa Barbara County who sell or distribute this poison. It will not be tolerated. If you choose to sell Fentanyl in our communities, you do so at your own risk. The Sheriff’s Office and our federal partners will continue to investigate and prosecute those responsible for fentanyl-related overdose deaths, to the fullest extent of the law.”

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  4. I do not understand why some think this crisis is a great big joke. I can tell you that the deaths affect all races, creeds, colors, and political affiliation, and are often self-inflicted (deceased person thought they were taking/abusing this or that, but turned out it had a lethal dose of fentanyl).
    One unfortunate commenter seems to believe that the fentanyl mess has something to do with Mayor Rowse’s inability to clean up parks…not sure how that is related to the article, but okay. Another obsesses over the twice-disgraced Orange Man and thinks fentanyl has something to do with his loss in court today …hoo wudda thot…er, uh…not sure how someone would actually believe a comment like that. One person seems to be living in constant fear of an orange cult leader sort of takes the cake (in my opinion….a bit off topic with the “cult” thing….again, what-Evz…LOL!).
    I will agree that the border is simply not secure. Talk to ANY border-patrol agent and they’ll tell you what’s really going on, and they do not like what’s going on. Some may not agree with this, but the current administration simply does not care that so many people are coming into our country without the proper credentials. If you don’t believe me, ask Eric Adams, the mayor of Sanctuary Central (a.k.a New York City).

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    • Also, you berate others for making accusations, yet you do the same “simply does not care that so many people are coming into our country without the proper credentials”. Not sure where you get “doesn’t care” from. 1,500 troops sent to the border. The Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which most Republicans voted against, provides $3.6 billion to modernization projects at border stations and land ports of entry

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    • Let’s focus on the fentanyl problem rather than making it about me or those who are no longer in power. Focus on those who are in power and doing nearly nothing about stopping the flow of drugs into our country. People are addicted and are dying by the tens-of thousands…and no one “in charge” seems to really care. Those who are “in charge” think that giving away needles, meth/crack pipes, etc are helping the addicts….NO, they are making it easier for addicts to remain addicted. Some brain trusts talk about legalizing drugs…. look at Portland (actually, the entire state of Oregon due to Measure 110 in 2020) and places where LE has been instructed to look the other way (San Francisco, and certain areas of New York City/Chicago/Baltimore/Oakland and so on). Not working out too well for them at all. If any of you been to the Mission District in SF in the past year, you have seen it firsthand, unless you had your eyes closed or are a real-life Mr. Magoo. But go ahead, blame it on people who are not, have not, and will not be in power any time soon…at least not in The Golden State (new name = The Not-So Golden State).

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  5. Lots of ‘missing the point’ is happening here. What’s the real problem? Is it Biden? Is it Trump? I suggest you all lose that mentality. The problem is that we, the US, and locally here in SB have apparently a generation or two of people who are ok with taking random pills to get high. It’s US, not them, that I think is the problem.

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    • AHCHOO – I’m sure there will, but at least it could help. There’s no way to get drugs off the street, but if we can provide better, safer, cleaner drugs then it at least helps more than none. I know, legalizing things like cocaine, MDMA, etc might be a tough pill to swallow (pun intended), but who knows….. maybe it saves hundreds of lives?
      With the fentanyl crisis, we’re in uncharted waters. This is an odorless and absolutely deadly powder being added to everything from meth to cannabis and it’s killing people daily. It’s time to acknowledge the drug issue and do something to slow down the death toll.

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    • AHCHOOO – addicts won’t care where their drugs are from, but young people experimenting at a party hopefully will. My kids told me that high school kids are very aware of the dangers of fentanyl and very wary about any powders or pills, even cannabis. I’m glad there is that consciousness at least at our local high schools, but we need to spread it to everyone.
      A more drastic solution would be to legalize most drugs so, like cannabis, they can be regulate and kept clean and safe. People will NEVER stop taking drugs, might be the only way to keep them safe is to bite the bullet and legalize them, as we did with alcohol (one of the most violent and debilitating drugs out there second maybe to heroin and PCP).

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    • BUMBLEBEE – “we have now have an opioid and fentanyl crisis and a lot of people addicted to cannabis.” – Wow…. no.
      1. The opioid and fentanyl crisis is just as bad, if not worse, in states where cannabis is not legalized. Legalizing cannabis did not cause people to start taking opioids.
      2. You can’t become “addicted” to cannabis. It’s not like tobacco, alcohol, heroin, etc. It’s not physically/chemically addictive. There has never been anyone selling their children to buy more weed.

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  7. 1. There is no “open border policy” and the we do not have an “open border.” We have tens of thousands of trained and armed personnel guarding the border. How anyone can claim that there is no ongoing program to interdict illegal crossings and drug shipments is absolutely insane.
    2. It is not possible to 100% secure a border no matter how many resources you throw at it or laws you pass, it is always possible to breach a border. Period.
    3. Is there room for improvement for borer security? Sure.
    4. Anyone who thinks that you can stop people from getting illegal drugs in to the country is completely deluded. As long as there is demand there will always be supply. You can literally smuggle drugs into a fully locked down facility surrounded by massive walls and gates at every entrance, with high tech monitoring systems and a system of interdicting and searching literally every person who enters upon the grounds, the facilities have armed guards everywhere–in the United States. They are called prisons and you can get fentanyl in prison. So spare me this whole “we have to stop drug smuggling at the border”, because that it literally impossible.
    5. The only way to do make a dent here that I can see is to educate, educate, educate. And–make drugs legal and available to at least control quality so that a twenty year old doesn’t take a F’ing pill and drop dead because they don’w know what’s in it like just happened in IV.

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    • ALEX – excellent point about prisons. Also, every other country in the world has drugs smuggled in despite have “closed borders.”
      Yes, border security will help (obviously), but it won’t stop the flow of drugs. The DEA is showing that fentanyl is also coming to the US straight from China and India. Borders aren’t the ONLY problem.

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    • SAC – Re Coast @ 529. I see you continue, as you have for months, when the question comes up about the border being open or closed, goad those commenting for a document that shows a policy requiring the border to remain open. The request you repeatedly make in effect is for written proof of a policy. You continually ask, knowing no such document exists. Documents to show our border is open for the average person is not necessary. Knowing the fact that thousands of people are coming across our border illegally on a daily basis, written document or not, is circumstantial if not direct evidence this is the policy of the idiot in the WH dealt with by his Cuban communist HS Secretary (Mayorkas). I believe most, if not all people that make this comment about our “open border;” and I’m certain (you) know, make the comment due to the fact there is very little effort taken to repel these people. In part, an Order (Title 42) allowing quick removal of these people from the US is being allowed to expire. Whether you want to accept the statement or not, allowing, and not taking direct action to prevent this mass of people illegally entering the US is evidence this is the US policy. Why do you think people from across the world are now; and since the idiot has been in office, trying to enter the US? It’s because the laws against illegal entry are not enforced, meaning, without having to provide documents, there is now an “open border policy.” Your “show me” and “whatabout” word games seem to be all you have. I have no doubt you know the border is open.

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    • Doulie – So Mayorkas is a communist because he was born in Cuba? Well if that isn’t some bigoted far right nonsense. When he was one year old, his parents fled with him and his sister to the United States in 1960 as refugees, following the Cuban Revolution. You really felt it necessary to call out his nationality?

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    • DOULIE – if someone says there is a “policy” to keep the border open, then why would I not request to see said policy? The point is, there is none, it’s a lie. You seem to be fine with deflection (whataboutism) and continued intentionally false statements of fact (open border policy) without any evidence said “fact” is true (ie, a lie). That’s fine. Lazy, but fine. That’s all you. I, on the other hand, expect adults to be able to discuss issues without lying (making up facts like there’s a “policy”) and responding directly (not deflecting/whatabouting). That’s me (and most other adults).
      I really don’t care if you don’t like adult expectations in a discussion thread. Now, stop lying:
      ” allowing, and not taking direct action to prevent this mass of people illegally entering the US” – Not true. Biden just sent 1500 troops to the border, so that is a lie. See also: https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders
      “laws against illegal entry are not enforced, ” – again, NOT TRUE. “One of the most important activities of a Border Patrol agent is line watch. ” – see Daily Duties here: https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders
      “there is now an “open border policy.” – No, there is not. Again, a lie.
      “I have no doubt you know the border is open.” – It’s not. Another lie.
      Just stop.

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    • “”if” they’re caught, they’re released” – right after he says “if the holding facilities are full”
      LOL ok sure thing pal. Where should they go if the facilities are full? Tie them up to trees? Shoot them?
      “That is an open border.” – Not for the ones filling up the holding facilities, it’s not.

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    • “Make drugs like Fentanyl legal” – said no one ever. Read man, read. Legalizing SOME drugs that are known for being LACED is what the idea is, not legalizing fentanyl itself. As you might be aware (hard to tell), people aren’t out looking to OD on fentanyl. It’s being cut in with other drugs like cocaine (who wants to go to sleep on coke?), MDMA and even cannabis. Reduce the danger of accidental overdose by allowing access to clean and regulated drugs. It’s a complex problem with no one single or easy fix.

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    • Here’s a clean version for the snowflakes:
      What’s absurd is pretending that Fentanyl is only coming across the Southern border or that it can be stopped.
      Fentanyl is here to stay. If you give legal access to drugs then you can QC what people take and they don’t get fentanyl thinking it’s Molly.

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  13. Here’s Alex:
    “5. The only way to do make a dent here that I can see is to educate, educate, educate. And–make drugs legal and available…”
    And here’s Sac:
    “A more drastic solution would be to legalize most drugs so, like cannabis, they can be regulate and kept clean and safe…”
    Instead of arguing, why don’t you stand by what you write? Do you or don’t you want to legalize fentanyl? It’s a very simple question. Either way, yes or no, people may have more respect for you if you choose one or the other rather than changing your mind and backpedaling for votes.

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  15. Here’s Alex:
    “5. The only way to do make a dent here that I can see is to educate, educate, educate. And–make drugs legal and available…”
    And here’s Sac:
    “A more drastic solution would be to legalize most drugs so, like cannabis, they can be regulate and kept clean and safe…”
    How else would people interpret your comments in the context of this article on Fentanyl?

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    • LOL well, anyone who has a basic understanding of English and simple reasoning would see the “legalize most drugs so, like cannabis, they can be regulate and kept clean and safe…” and understand that legalizing the drugs that commonly tainted with fentanyl (see the “kept clean and safe” in an article about fentanyl poisoning) would be for just that – to keep them “clean and safe” FROM FENTANYL.
      Wowzers….. it’s BASIC English bro. BASIC reading comprehension. BASIC logic. Sorry that was so confusing for you.

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  16. Sacjon: I completely understand what you are saying, and agree slightly with a few of your points. When someone does disagree with you, maybe take a step back rather than “taking the bait” and coming back with what could be considered unhinged comments (while telling others that t-h-e-y are losing it). Keep in mind that there’s a very good chance that you are being trolled simply to get your more, and more, and MORE upset. After a few dozen comments on this one subject, no one is being convinced that what you are saying is going to change someone else’s opinion….or at least comment(s). I see that you are being taken advantage of….maybe I’m wrong.

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    • Babycakes – why would you tell Sacjon that he should step back and not tell Doulie the same? You seem to also have missed that the Libertarian party who primarily votes Republican believes in making drugs legal – but sounds like you are just furthering an agenda only calling out certain color areas of the map – that seems divisive..
      “Libertarians believe that the War on Drugs is ineffective, unfair, and immoral. We advocate ending it.
      The War on Drugs is ineffective at limiting access to dangerous drugs and, instead, empowers dangerous gangs that make incredible fortunes on the black market for these illegal drugs.
      The War on Drugs has imprisoned millions of non-violent people. This is unfair to these people and also uses up resources that would be better spent prosecuting and imprisoning people who are violent.
      The War on Drugs is largely responsible for the militarization of police forces in America. It has pitted police against citizens and this is unfair to both. Police need to be able to focus on protecting the American public from violent offenders and fraud.
      Lastly, Libertarians believe that it is immoral for the government to dictate which substances a person is permitted to consume, whether it is alcohol, tobacco, herbal remedies, saturated fat, marijuana, etc. These decisions belong to individual people, not the government.
      Because of all of these things, Libertarians advocate ending the War on Drugs.”

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    • GeneralTree: Thank you for your question. The reason my comment was for SacJon is because it seemed to me that “he” (she?) might be in sort sort of “comment spiral” that can be difficult to extract one’s self from. I am not sure why you want me to address any comment(s) made by someone else (“Doulie”). Mentioning what Libertarians believe and how they typically vote does not really have anything to do with the drug crisis that our nation faces. I would be a fool to change the topic to Libertarianism and focus, and would rather discuss the topic at hand. Like discovering a big leaking hole in a ship out at sea and getting all wound up over who created the hole vs fixing the hole. In the end, the “blame game” does not work and is temporarily satisfying when the ship is sinking. Fix the hole….point fingers later.

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  19. GT your go to whattaboutism of red county opioid use in red states needs a counter balance. Bright Blue LA County has a larger population than 40 states and of the 10 remaining, LA County is within a couple hundred thousand population of Michigan, North Carolina and Georgia.
    LA County has the most drug addicts living on the street of any place in America, and LA metro area is even worse. LA Metro is so bad they have non-profits giving out free new meth pipes along with needle “exchanges”. (no needles are ever actually exchanged, they are tossed onto the streets where they eventually go into the ocean) PS: The Non-Profit that does the new meth pipes and needle “exchanges” takes in $12M a year of which $7M is executive compensation

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    • GC – that’s insanely awful, but not surprising sadly. Despite what many think, the southern border isn’t the only entry point for this deadly drug in our country. This is yet another example of why we must take actions other than “closing the border.” Again, making street drugs as clean as possible should be the focus. We’ll never stop people from using drugs. The best we can do is reduce the risk of accidental poisoning.

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    • Again another decisive comment “One of those” you are completely disgusting.
      Ever tried immigrating to another country? Check out immigrating the requirements to Mexico? Bet you would not qualify.
      Closing the border will certainly slow the influx of illegal drugs , illegal immigration, to say otherwise is simply turning your head or ignorance.
      Wake up;.

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    • “Complete lies, just like Covid.” – Oh….. you’re one of those lol!
      Anyway, of course the southern border is AN issue, but not the ONLY issue here. That talking point is spewed by those who just want to close the border because they hate illegal immigrants. They finally have another reason to rally that cause, now that the world didn’t fall for their old tactic of “they’re all rapists and murders!”
      So do tell, do you really think if we seal up the southern border and do nothing else, the fentanyl crisis will go away? If it would, I’d be all for it. But, as we all know (well, those who have actually looked into it and not just parroted Tucker Carlson), the southern border isn’t the only spot it’s coming in.

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    • Why are you talking about immigrating? This is about fentanyl. YOU said the southern border is THE issue. I don’t agree. Then you admit, it will only “slow the influx of illegal drugs.” Guess what? I agree. BUT…. to say it’s the only issue, as you suggested earlier, is just not true. I think you need to “wake up.” It is coming into our country directly from China (through smugglers like the cops GC mentioned) and through Canada. Shutting down the border to Mexico will NOT stop it.
      Again, just like jails and prisons, drugs get in through closed borders. So, what else can we do to stop the rash of fentanyl poisoning? THAT was my point with legalizing some of the drugs that commonly are tainted with it. Yes, that’s a severe decision and likely will never happen. The point though, again, is that closing the border won’t stop it. We need to do everything we can to keep our citizens, children, loved ones from accidentally consuming fentanyl.

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  24. Solving the opioid epidemic Sac? Easy question you say? Not. Doesn’t everyone know that? This is a challenge, and a lot of people who aren’t Edhat posters are the ones who will decide. But I’ll tell you what I wouldn’t do, that legalizing even more drugs, as you had suggested. That’s why we are in disagreement.

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  25. Again, you did nothing. Are you not able to articulate your thoughts? You said I backpedaled. From what? I have maintained since day 1 that I think legalizing some of the drugs that are commonly poisoned with fentanyl would be a way to reduce the risk of accidental OD. I’ve never strayed from that and never denied it.
    I’m done with you, seriously, but want to leave you with this: There was no “A ha!,” there was nothing you “proved,” there was nothing but me saying the same thing all along. Out and done. Have fun on your own.

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  27. Clearly you’re talking about legalizing more drugs, Sac – these are your words, again:
    “A more drastic solution would be to legalize most drugs so, like cannabis, they can be regulate and kept clean and safe. People will NEVER stop taking drugs, might be the only way to keep them safe is to bite the bullet and legalize them”
    “but if we can provide better, safer, cleaner drugs then it at least helps more than none. I know, legalizing things like cocaine, MDMA, etc might be a tough pill to swallow (pun intended), but who knows….. maybe it saves hundreds of lives?”
    You suggest this as a solution and here in the article about fentanyl, and a lot of us simply disagree with that. Your ideas sound terrible.

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    • “Clearly you’re talking about legalizing more drugs, Sac” – Breaking my promise, but YES. YES, I am saying that and I have never once wavered at all from that position. You attacked and trolled trying to say I did, but your own quotes show what I’ve been saying all along. Dude, it’s fine if you disagree, but you didn’t just do that, you trolled and gaslighted, lied and deflected. It’s cool to disagree, not the other stuff.

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  28. sacjon
    Some fentanyl does come here directly from China, but here is a quote from the Executive Office of the President of the United States, Biden Administration:
    “Synthetic opioids like illicit fentanyl and its analogues are produced using precursor
    chemicals made available by malicious actors, often in the People’s Republic of China (PRC),
    which are shipped to Mexico, where they are used to produce illicit fentanyl or fentanyl-related
    substances. This illicit fentanyl is either sold in powder form or pressed into the fake pills that
    have poisoned so many Americans. These drugs are then either moved across our southern
    border, typically through the existing ports of entry, or shipped into the United States through the
    mail or through express consignment carriers.”
    So Precursors or “ingredients” are shipped to Mexico and turned into Fentanyl and then the finished product Fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico through US ports of entry, or mailed, shipped from Mexico.
    Here is the finding of the Democrat held Senate:
    “The Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are the main traffickers of fentanyl into the United States.”
    From Congressional Research December 2022:
    In the years immediately prior to 2019, China was the
    primary source of U.S.-bound illicit fentanyl, fentanyl related substances, and production equipment. PRC traffickers supplied fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances
    directly to the United States via international mail and
    express consignment operations.
    Trafficking patterns changed after the PRC imposed class-wide controls over all
    fentanyl-related substances, effective May 2019. Today,
    Mexican transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) are
    largely responsible for the production of U.S.-consumed
    illicit fentanyl, using PRC-sourced primary materials,
    including precursor chemicals that are not internationally
    controlled (and are correspondingly legal to produce in and
    export out of China). According to DEA assessments cited
    by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review
    Commission in 2021, PRC traffickers and money
    launderers appear to have increased cooperation with
    Mexican cartels.

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