WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that he has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to help halt the flow of illicit fentanyl from Mexico, China, and other nations around the world into the United States. The INTERDICT Act, which was introduced earlier this year by Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), would provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) with resources and tools, such as hi-tech chemical screening devices, to help detect and interdict fentanyl and other illicit synthetic opioids.

“Protecting communities in Maine and across the country from the influx of powerful opioids like fentanyl is a critical part of the strategy to combat the drug epidemic,” Senator King said. “To do that, though, law enforcement professionals must be provided with the proper resources and equipment – and, right now, we can do better. This bill would give those serving on the front lines of this crisis the tools they need to help stop illegal drugs from entering our country and help fight off the grip of addiction before it begins.”

In 2016, CBP seized nearly 200 pounds of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids like fentanyl, primarily from along the southwest border. This is a 25-fold increase over seizures in 2015. Between 2014 and 2015, deaths involving synthetic opioids, which include fentanyl, increased by 72 percent, taking more than 9,500 lives. In Maine, the influx of fentanyl has contributed to a 39 percent increase in the total number of drug overdose deaths in the state in 2016 compared to the previous year, according to the Maine Attorney General. Furthermore, of the 313 deaths due to an opioid, fentanyl caused 195 of them – a 127 percent increase since 2015.

Mexico is the primary source of illicit fentanyl trafficked into the United States, while distributors in China are the principal source of the precursor chemicals used to manufacture the drug, as well as a source for finished-product illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, which are often shipped to the United States through the mail and express consignment carriers.

To help stem the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, the INTERDICT Act would:

• Ensure that CBP will have additional portable chemical screening devices available at ports of entry and mail and express consignment facilities, as well as additional fixed chemical screening devices available in CBP laboratories
• Provide CBP with sufficient resources, personnel, and facilities – including scientists available during all operational hours – to interpret screening test results from the field
• Authorize – based on CBP guidance – the appropriation of $15 million for hundreds of new screening devices, laboratory equipment, facilities, and personnel for support during all operation hours

Senator King is also a cosponsor of the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation that is designed to stop dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped through our borders. Specifically, the bill would require shipments from foreign countries through our postal system to provide electronic advance data – such as who and where it is coming from, who it’s going to, where it is going, and what’s in it – before they cross our borders and enter the United States.  Having this information in advance will enable CBP to better target potential illegal packages and keep these dangerous drugs from ending up in the hands of drug traffickers who want to harm our local communities.

A copy of the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act can be found HERE.

###