Golden State Today

Since January, California's state fentanyl task force has seized nearly 2.5 tons of fentanyl powder and over 8.8 million pills at California’s ports of entry—enough to potentially harm one in every four California residents.

SACRAMENTO – Continuing California’s aggressive efforts to tackle the illicit fentanyl crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the California National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force seized almost 4,638 pounds of fentanyl powder and more than 8.8 million pills containing fentanyl since January 2024. These seizures are valued at nearly $40 million.

The task force collaborates with local and federal partners to remove deadly fentanyl from the streets, focusing on ports of entry along the southern border.

“California’s work to address illicit fentanyl entering into our state continues to produce strong results. We’ll continue to address the opioid epidemic by all means necessary – including by getting fentanyl off our streets and providing communities with access to the treatment and life-saving medications they need,” stated Governor Gavin Newsom.

The task force gathers information to interdict illegal narcotics trafficking, utilizing air and ground assets for criminal investigations, and supports personnel at border ports of entry in stopping illicit narcotics trafficking. CalGuard members with the Counter Drug Taskforce are embedded in cross-government initiatives aimed at combating transnational criminal organizations and the trafficking of illegal narcotics such as fentanyl.

In June, Governor Newsom increased the deployment of CalGuard service members involved in drug interdiction efforts from 155 to nearly 400. Last year, he increased their numbers by approximately 50%. Operations supported by CalGuard resulted in a record seizure of 62,224 pounds of fentanyl in 2023—a significant increase since 2021. These efforts are funded partly by California’s $30 million investment aimed at expanding CalGuard’s work against drug trafficking by transnational criminal organizations. Fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the country by U.S. citizens through ports of entry.

California is taking comprehensive action against the opioid crisis through various measures outlined in Governor Newsom's Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis. This includes overdose prevention efforts, holding pharmaceutical companies accountable, cracking down on drug trafficking, and raising awareness about opioid dangers.

The state launched opioids.ca.gov as a resource hub for Californians seeking prevention and treatment information while holding Big Pharma accountable. Additionally, this week saw the launch of the Facts Fight Fentanyl campaign aimed at educating Californians about preventing overdoses and deaths related to fentanyl use.

Part of these measures includes making over-the-counter naloxone available statewide under Governor Newsom’s plan. The Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) ensures that CalRx®-branded naloxone HCL nasal spray will be free for eligible organizations or sold for $24 per twin-pack through Amneal.

In support of President Biden's bilateral cooperation agreement with China on counternarcotics, Governor Newsom discussed combating transnational shipping of precursor chemicals used for creating fentanyl with Chinese President Xi Jinping last October.