Congressional Affairs
DEA Recognizes 2025 National Fentanyl Awareness Day with Debut of Faces of Fentanyl Online Exhibit
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration today announced the release of the 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA), DEA’s comprehensive review of the threats posed to the United States by deadly illicit drugs and the violent domestic and international drug trafficking organizations responsible for producing and trafficking the drugs poisoning our communities.
Carfentanil: A Synthetic Opioid Unlike Any Other
Over the past two decades, synthetic opioids have increased the threat of the ongoing opioid epidemic. Nearly 70% of all drug poisonings and overdose deaths in 2023 involved synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Also, among these substances is carfentanil, which stands out – at this time – as one of the deadliest fentanyl analogues. This white, powdery drug closely resembles other substances like fentanyl or cocaine, but its danger far exceeds that of nearly any other opioid on the street.
Xylazine
Forensics on the Frontlines
* 2 mg of fentanyl equates to a potentially deadly dose
DEA Fentanyl Seizures in 2025
In 2024, DEA seized more than 60 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2024 seizures are equivalent to more than 380 million lethal doses of fentanyl.
The 2025 fentanyl seizures represent over 139 million deadly doses. *
updated: May 19, 2025
The 2025 fentanyl seizures represent over 139 million deadly doses. *
updated: May 19, 2025
Millions of Fentanyl Pills Seized
+ 11,671,894
Pounds of Fentanyl Powder Seized
+ lbs. 220
* 2 mg of fentanyl equates to a potentially deadly dose
Statements for the Record
February 1, 2023 - Statement of Associate Administrator Jon DeLena - Lives Worth Living: Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis, Protecting Critical Lifelines, and Combatting Discrimination Against Those with Disabilities
February 15, 2023 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - Countering Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking
April 27, 2023 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Drug Enforcement Administration
May 10, 2023 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Requests for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
June 21, 2023 - Statement of Matthew J. Strait Deputy Assistant Administrator Diversion Control Division - Responding to America's Overdose Crisis: An Examination of Legislation to Build Upon the SUPPORT Act
July 12, 2023 - Statement of Kemp L. Chester Senior Advisor, Office of National Drug Control Policy Committee on Homeland Security - Leading the Strategic Response to Disrupt the Flow of Illicit Fentanyl Across Our Borders
July 27, 2023 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - Drug Enforcement Administration Oversight
October 24, 2023 - Statement of William F. Kimbell Chief of Operations Drug Enforcement Administration - Hearing Entitled, “TBD”
March 20, 2024 - Testimony of James Dunlap Deputy Under Secretary for Analysis Office of Intelligence and Analysis U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Examining the Current Status of Iran’s Axis of Resistance and the Implications for Homeland Security and U.S. Interests
April 30, 2024 - Statement of William F. Kimbell Chief of Operations Drug Enforcement Administration - Hearing Entitled, “TBD”
May 7, 2024 - Statement of Administrator Anne Milgram - Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Drug Enforcement Administration