U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) introduced a new bill to strengthen the penalty for drug traffickers, specifically those who distribute fentanyl.
The legislation, known as the Fentanyl Trafficker Elimination Act, establishes life sentences for individuals convicted of intentionally trafficking fentanyl or fentanyl analogues.
“Smugglers aren’t deterred by the existing penalties for trafficking fentanyl into the United States,” Burchett said. “You better be ready to spend the rest of your life in prison if you willingly bring illegal fentanyl across any of our borders. No longer can we shrug off this criminal activity that is responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of Americans.”
The deadly drug has grown in popularity. According to the nonprofit Families Against Fentanyl, the drug is the number one killer of individuals ages 18 to 45, outpacing COVID-19, suicide, and car accidents.
Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows that more than 11,000 pounds of the synthetic opioid were seized last fiscal year—the highest number in recent years.
“As an EMT and former federal drug prosecutor, I’ve witnessed firsthand the lethal effects of opioids, particularly fentanyl. Devastatingly, fentanyl has made its way into communities across America, and there is no end in sight. As part of our broader approach to tackling the addiction and overdose epidemic, we must address the dramatic rise in fentanyl and fentanyl-laced pill seizures at our ports of entry,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), a co-sponsor of the legislation, added. “The deadly wave of fentanyl overdoses our country is experiencing has continued to soar. It’s time to put an end to these senseless deaths by sending a clear message to traffickers: you will be apprehended, brought to justice, and held accountable for smuggling illicit fentanyl into the United States.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
I am all in favor of stronger drug enforcement laws but am perplexed by the insatiable market for the drugs in this country. It shows a lack of self control within the populace.