Rep. Jenkins introduces bill to create interagency task force to combat illicit fentanyl, heroin trafficking

A bill that establishes an interagency task force of federal law enforcement agencies to help eradicate the illicit trade of fentanyl and heroin throughout the United States was recently introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-WV).

The bill, titled the Fentanyl and Heroin Task Force Act, would also require the task force to share best practices for disposing of fentanyl with state and local law enforcement agencies while ensuring each department has the necessary information to target traffickers of illicit narcotics.

Additionally, the bill requires a report to Congress that includes an update on fentanyl and heroin trafficking within the United States, a summary of state and local efforts to eradicate illicit fentanyl and heroin trafficking, and recommendations to Congress for additional legislative action.

“This task force will bring together federal agencies to ensure communication and resources are coordinated and targeted, all while working with state and local law enforcement,” Jenkins said. “We can and must do more to give our law enforcement agencies the tools they need to stop fentanyl flowing from China and Mexico into our communities.”

Agencies included in Jenkins’ task force are U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations unit, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the International Trade Administration, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.