As drug-related deaths in America reach a record high, Border Patrol agents have confiscated enough fentanyl this fiscal year to kill the entire U.S. population.
Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens reported that agents have seized more than 69,000 pounds of narcotics, including 2,700 pounds of fentanyl, between ports of entry. This amount does not include drugs seized at ports of entry, which is substantially higher. Border Patrol data indicates that more than 22,000 pounds of fentanyl were confiscated at southern border ports of entry this fiscal year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more powerful than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. In fact, a mere 2 milligrams of fentanyl, equivalent to about 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a deadly dose.
Alongside the staggering fentanyl seizures, Border Patrol agents also seized 40,000 pounds of marijuana, 13,000 pounds of methamphetamine, and 11,000 pounds of cocaine between ports of entry.
Despite these efforts, earlier this month Emily’s Hope reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed another grim record: drug overdose deaths in the United States have surged to unprecedented heights. Provisional data indicates that 111,355 lives were lost to drug overdoses and fentanyl poisoning within the 12-month period ending in April.