Senators introduce bill to interdict illicit fentanyl entering the United States

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators recently introduced the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act, which aims to reduce the flow of illicit fentanyl coming into the United States.

Cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL),
Ed Markey (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

Provisions in the bill include providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection new technology such as state-of-the-art chemical screening devices at ports of entry and mail consignment facilities to help detect and interdict fentanyl and related synthetic opioids.

The act also provides the agency with additional scientific personnel to help interpret samples taken in the field and appropriates $15 million for new screening devices, facilities, and support during all operational hours.

“Illicit fentanyl being trafficked into the United States is an immediate and grave threat to the American people,” Markey said. “Customs and Border Protection is a critical line of defense in the battle to stop fentanyl from flooding our communities, and we need to give it the latest technological tools to detect and intercept this deadly drug.”

Mexico is the primary source for illicit fentanyl entering the United States. China, however, is the primary source of the precursor chemicals used to manufacture the drug, along with providing the drug itself and its analogs.