State and Local Task Forces

* 2 mg of fentanyl equates to a potentially deadly dose

DEA Fentanyl Seizures in 2024

In 2023, DEA seized more than 80 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2023 seizures are equivalent to more than 390 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

The 2024 fentanyl seizures represent over 349 million deadly doses. *

Millions of Fentanyl Pills Seized

+ 52000000

Pounds of Fentanyl Powder Seized

+ lbs. 7418

* 2 mg of fentanyl equates to a potentially deadly dose

DEA values its partnerships with state and local task force officers and their parent agencies. These assets strengthen the work DEA does every day to make a difference in the fight against fentanyl, which remains the deadliest drug threat facing our country. The DEA is actively targeting every single aspect of the global fentanyl supply chain so that we can put an end to the most devastating drug crisis that our country has ever seen. Nearly all of the fentanyl in the United States comes from Mexico, and most of it is trafficked by the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels. The unwavering partnerships provided by these task force assets pose as an unparalleled force multiplier in the fight against these cartels, and strengthens our communities. DEA is so proud to be able to partner with our task forces on some of the most pressing issues facing our society.

HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM

This cooperative effort between the DEA and local law enforcement agencies actually began in 1970, before the establishment of the DEA, with a pilot task force created in New York City by the former BNDD. The first task force was comprised of investigators from major state and local regional agencies, primarily the New York City Police Department and the New York State, along with BNDD personnel. Due to the complexity of drug problems in the region and the varied levels of drug trafficking, the New York City metropolitan area was ideal for federal, state, and local initiatives.

WHY TASK FORCES?

As drug trafficking increased nationwide, DEA recognized the need for cooperation and coordination of drug enforcement efforts with their state and local counterparts. This cooperation provided several advantages to all participating agencies: DEA was able to draw on the expertise of state of local law enforcement; DEA could share resources with state and local officers, thereby increasing the investigative possibilities available to all; state and local officers could be deputized as federal drug agents, thus extending their jurisdiction; state and local participating agencies could receive an equitable share of forfeited drug proceeds; and DEA could pay overtime and investigative expenses for the state and local agencies.

TASK FORCES TODAY

In 2023, the DEA State and Local Task Force Program managed 317 State and Local Task Forces, which included Program Funded, Provisional, HIDTA, and Tactical Diversion Squads. The difference between Fully Funded and Provisional State and Local Task Forces is that the financial support for funded task forces is provided by DEA Headquarters and includes additional resources for State and Local overtime. Provisional Task Forces are supported by the operating budgets of DEA field division offices without resources from DEA headquarters, and do not include State and Local overtime. These task forces are staffed by over 2,200 DEA special agents and over 2,965 full time State and Local Officers and 1,500 part time Officers. Participating State and Local Task Force Officers are deputized to perform the same functions as DEA Special Agents

2024 National Drug Threat Assessment

The 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) is a comprehensive strategic assessment of illicit drug threats endangering the United States. DEA’s goal in publishing the NDTA is to save American lives by raising awareness and understanding of these threats. This annual assessment provides law enforcement agencies, policy makers, and prevention and treatment specialists with essential intelligence to assist in establishing law enforcement priorities, formulating counterdrug policies, and allocating resources.

United States Drug Enforcement Administration