Colorado is facing a crisis as record seizures of fentanyl are on the rise, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA attributes this surge to cartels expanding into new regions and distributing larger quantities of the deadly drug.
DEA spokesman Dave Olesky, who also serves as the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Rocky Mountain Field Division, revealed that investigators are uncovering more signs of cartel activity across Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. Olesky noted that drugs typically associated with cartels in eastern Washington are now making their way into Montana.
The Rocky Mountain Field Division shattered its fentanyl seizure record last year, confiscating over 2.6 million pills in Colorado in 2023. This year, the division is on track to surpass that number, with Olesky stating that the quantities of fentanyl being seized in the Denver area are reaching levels previously only seen in major distribution cities like Phoenix and Los Angeles.
The DEA reports that seven out of every 10 illicit pills now contain a deadly dose of fentanyl, leading to a spike in drug overdose deaths. Olesky emphasized that criminal organizations in China play a role in the fentanyl crisis by aiding cartels in producing the drug inexpensively.
Sheriff Jason Mikesell of Teller County, Colorado, believes that the migrant crisis at the southern border has contributed to the fentanyl surge in the state. However, Olesky points to various factors leading to the increase, including the need for outreach and education to prevent fentanyl poisoning.
As drug overdoses, driven largely by fentanyl, continue to be the leading cause of death for adults ages 18 to 45, the DEA warns about the dangers of multicolored fentanyl pills that can attract children. The agency stresses the importance of raising awareness about fentanyl and its risks to combat the growing crisis.
With the fentanyl epidemic escalating in Colorado, it is crucial for authorities and communities to work together to address the issue and prevent further tragedies.
