United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Washington DC – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division seized over 8.3 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl in 2022.  The division, which covers the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia confiscated nearly 160,000 fake pills containing fentanyl, and more than 250 pounds of fentanyl powder throughout the year.

“Fentanyl is the most dangerous and deadly drug I have seen in my 20 years of law enforcement experience,” expressed Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Washington Division. “This highly addictive man-made drug is poisoning our citizens regardless of age, race, residence or socioeconomic status.  It is extremely alarming that the amount of fentanyl [fake-pills and powder] confiscated by our teams, together with state and local partners, would have potentially killed 54% of the residents of D.C., Maryland and Virginia.”

Fentanyl is a man-made opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, the small amount that fits on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially deadly dose. Fake pills laced with fentanyl are readily available on social media. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose and poisoning is the leading cause of death for Americans 18-45 years of age.

SAC Forget also mentioned that “the Mexican Cartels – namely the Sinaloa and CJNG Cartels, with chemicals sourced largely from China – are responsible for the vast majority of the methamphetamine, fentanyl, and fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills killing Americans. These cartels are ruthless criminal organizations that are responsible for mass producing and supplying virtually all of the deadly fentanyl found in our area.”

Last month, DEA announced nationwide seizure totals of over 50.6 million fentanyl pills and more than 10,500 pounds of fentanyl powder. The DEA Laboratory estimates that these seizures represent more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl, which equates to enough fentanyl to kill every American.

In 2021, the DEA issued a Public Safety Alert on the widespread drug trafficking of fentanyl in the form of fake prescription pills. These pills are made to look identical to real prescription medications—including OxyContin®, Percocet®, and Xanax®—but only contain filler and fentanyl, and are often deadly.  This past November, DEA alerted the public to a sharp nationwide increase in the lethality of fentanyl pills. DEA laboratory testing in 2022 revealed that six out of ten pills contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. This is an increase from 2021 when DEA lab testing revealed four out of ten pills tested contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.

DEA reminds everyone that legitimate pharmaceutical pills cannot be bought on social media. The only safe medications are ones prescribed directly to you by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. For additional information and resources, including our Caregivers Fact Sheet, visit DEA.gov/onepill.

Washington DC – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division seized over 8.3 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl in 2022.  The division, which covers the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia confiscated nearly 160,000 fake pills containing fentanyl, and more than 250 pounds of fentanyl powder throughout the year.

“Fentanyl is the most dangerous and deadly drug I have seen in my 20 years of law enforcement experience,” expressed Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Washington Division. “This highly addictive man-made drug is poisoning our citizens regardless of age, race, residence or socioeconomic status.  It is extremely alarming that the amount of fentanyl [fake-pills and powder] confiscated by our teams, together with state and local partners, would have potentially killed 54% of the residents of D.C., Maryland and Virginia.”

Fentanyl is a man-made opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, the small amount that fits on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially deadly dose. Fake pills laced with fentanyl are readily available on social media. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose and poisoning is the leading cause of death for Americans 18-45 years of age.

SAC Forget also mentioned that “the Mexican Cartels – namely the Sinaloa and CJNG Cartels, with chemicals sourced largely from China – are responsible for the vast majority of the methamphetamine, fentanyl, and fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills killing Americans. These cartels are ruthless criminal organizations that are responsible for mass producing and supplying virtually all of the deadly fentanyl found in our area.”

Last month, DEA announced nationwide seizure totals of over 50.6 million fentanyl pills and more than 10,500 pounds of fentanyl powder. The DEA Laboratory estimates that these seizures represent more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl, which equates to enough fentanyl to kill every American.

In 2021, the DEA issued a Public Safety Alert on the widespread drug trafficking of fentanyl in the form of fake prescription pills. These pills are made to look identical to real prescription medications—including OxyContin®, Percocet®, and Xanax®—but only contain filler and fentanyl, and are often deadly.  This past November, DEA alerted the public to a sharp nationwide increase in the lethality of fentanyl pills. DEA laboratory testing in 2022 revealed that six out of ten pills contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. This is an increase from 2021 when DEA lab testing revealed four out of ten pills tested contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.

DEA reminds everyone that legitimate pharmaceutical pills cannot be bought on social media. The only safe medications are ones prescribed directly to you by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. For additional information and resources, including our Caregivers Fact Sheet, visit DEA.gov/onepill.

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