Luján, Cantwell, Tester, Baldwin, Rosen introduce bill to prevent fentanyl trafficking through US transportation networks

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan

From U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján's office:

• • • • • The legislation would improve detection of illegal drug smuggling by air, sea, rail and road
        • The bill has support from narcotics officers, metropolitan leaders, forensic science laboratories, state criminal investigation agencies and HIDTA leaders

WASHINGTON, DC – Commerce Committee Democrats, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced legislation to combat the trafficking of illegal synthetic drugs like fentanyl through the U.S. transportation network.

The bill would, for the first time, create inspection strategies to stop drug smuggling by commercial aircraft, railroads, vehicles and ships. The legislation would strengthen state, local and tribal law enforcement resources, deploy next-generation non-invasive detection technologies and increase inspections at ports of entry.

“The flow of fentanyl into the country has devastated far too many communities in New Mexico and the United States,” said Senator Luján. “This bill would combat the trafficking of deadly drugs by introducing innovative inspection strategies for U.S. transportation networks and give law enforcement the tools they need to combat fentanyl smuggling.” It is time for Congress to act to keep our communities safe and end the fentanyl crisis.”

“Drug traffickers should not be allowed to exploit the U.S. transportation system to smuggle fentanyl and precursor chemicals to make illegal synthetic drugs,” said Senator Cantwell. “Our bill equips federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement with the tools they need to curb drug smuggling by accelerating the development of non-invasive technologies to inspect our commercial aircraft, trucks, trains and ships – while increasing resources for the use of this technology and drug detection dogs, improving forensic science in crime laboratories, and building a better system for sharing intelligence and information between federal agencies and the private sector.”

“The deadly flow of fentanyl into Montana communities is tearing families apart and making our state less safe,” said Senator Tester. “If we want to end the illegal drug trade, we must attack this problem from all sides, and that means strengthening our southern border, funding law enforcement and securing transportation systems so bad actors can get their hands on these drugs.” Drugs into our communities. I am proud to have introduced this bill to give our law enforcement the tools they need to combat the illegal drug trade and to make our transportation systems safer for all Montanans.”

“I have heard from parents who have lost children, from law enforcement officers fighting on the front lines, and from advocates all demanding that we do more to stop the fentanyl scourge,” said Senator Baldwin. “I'm fighting this crisis on all fronts – from stopping manufacturing of precursor chemicals in China to improving access to overdose medications and everything in between. I am proud to advance this legislation to give our law enforcement agencies the tools they need to stop drug traffickers from using American airports, railroads, ports and roads to smuggle fentanyl into our communities.”

“The majority of synthetic fentanyl is smuggled into our country, entering communities across Nevada and destroying families,” said Senator Rosen. “I am doing everything I can to stop the flow of illegal drugs and assist law enforcement. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bill to develop a national strategy to prevent fentanyl smuggling and increase screening at ports of entry on our border.”

According to U.S. government authorities, drug traffickers are exploiting the U.S. transportation network to smuggle fentanyl, precursor chemicals and other illegal drugs into and throughout the country. Once drugs enter the country, drug traffickers continue to rely on the national transportation network—trucks, trains, and commercial aircraft—to transport their products to their final destination.

The Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on US Transportation Networks Act of 2024 (S. 5285) would:

Read the summary Here and invoice text Here.

• Create a national prevention plan: Directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to develop a comprehensive national strategy that examines the entire U.S. transportation network and ports of entry to prevent the smuggling of illegal synthetic drugs.
• Promote the detection of illegal drugs by air, sea, rail and road: The bill establishes four new transportation-specific inspection programs – private and commercial aircraft, railroads, commercial vehicles and marine vessels – to expand detection across all modes of transportation and prevent interstate smuggling. State, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies would conduct inspections using noninvasive technologies and dogs in coordination with federal law enforcement agencies—and without unduly delaying the movement of goods or disrupting interstate commerce.
• Employ high-tech detection tools: Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the ONDCP to accelerate new, non-invasive technologies, including the integration of AI and quantum, to detect illicit synthetic drugs. National laboratories, including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, are already developing next-generation technologies for fentanyl detection. AI could help increase the capacity to integrate multiple data sources and overcome challenges in identifying fentanyl when it is mixed with other opioids to avoid detection.
• Increase drug detection at the port of entry: Currently, only 1-2 percent of passenger vehicles and 15-17 percent of commercial vehicles are scanned at U.S. ports of entry. The bill would require Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to inspect 100 percent of motor vehicles and railroads entering the country through a port of entry within five years and all civil air and sea cargo within 10 years.

Law Enforcement Workforce, Technology, and Training Support: Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide grants to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies for the acquisition of new technology and dogs, and to support overtime and other program-related expenses. It would also increase federal support for state and local crime scene investigators and forensic laboratories in processing evidence related to fentanyl crimes and deaths.

Improving Data and Information Sharing to Prevent Drug Trafficking: Requires the Director of the ONDCP to establish a public-private task force to improve information and intelligence sharing among federal, state, and local agencies and the private sector to combat drug trafficking .

“The National Narcotic Officers' Associations' Coalition commends Senator Cantwell for her work on the Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on US Transportation Networks Act. The increase in deaths from drug poisoning, particularly fentanyl, shows that more needs to be done. We know a large portion of illicit drugs are smuggled through our transportation systems, and this legislation will provide needed resources, such as advanced detection technology and dogs, to improve law enforcement's ability to conduct inspections across our nation's transportation systems,” said Eric Brown , President of the Coalition of National Narcotic Officers' Associations.

“The Major Cities Chiefs Association thanks Senator Cantwell for his innovative approach to banning fentanyl with the Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on US Transportation Networks Act. In cities across the country, resources are scarce and the fentanyl crisis is a factor. Federal support is welcome as MCCA member agencies work to contain this crisis and promote safer communities and public health. We look forward to further engagement on this matter as it advances in Congress,” said Congressional Executive Director Laura Cooper Association of Metropolitan Chief Executives.

“Deaths and adverse events from illicit synthetic drugs continue to reach epidemic proportions, but funding for forensic laboratories remains stagnant. This bill prioritizes resources for frontline professionals in the fight against illicit drugs, including fentanyl and other novel psychoactive substances. We commend Commerce Committee members for this approach to ensure our forensic experts have the necessary resources and data to combat this epidemic,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Matthew Gamette Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations.

“The Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA) applauds Senator Cantwell’s introduction of the Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on US Transportation Networks Act of 2024. While recent numbers show progress in reducing drug poisoning deaths in the U.S., we are still far from where we are.” The need is to protect Americans from the ongoing threat. “This bill would strengthen the ability of authorities at all levels of government to detect and disrupt drug trafficking,” said Drew Evans, president of the Association of State Criminal Investigation Agencies.

“The National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Directors Association commends Senator Cantwell's efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis and her support in providing much-needed tools and resources to state, local, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies to interdict fentanyl shipments before They are negatively impacting communities across the country. Given the profound impact of fentanyl on families, schools and communities, this bill will be critical in enabling law enforcement agencies participating in the HIDTA program to develop new and innovative strategies to address this crisis,” said Die President F. Mike McDaniel Association of Directors of the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)..