Mocobizscene- The DC region has been inundated with fentanyl in recent years, and according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), they have seized 250% more of these pills in the past year compared to the previous year.
A staggering 70% of the confiscated pills were found to have dangerously high levels of fentanyl. Special Agent Jarod Forget (pronounced for-jay) loses sleep over the striking resemblance between counterfeit pills and genuine medications.
According to Forget, a DEA agent with over 20 years of experience, young individuals often believe they are consuming a genuine pill, but in reality, it is counterfeit. “I cannot discern between a counterfeit pill designed to resemble authentic oxycodone, Percocet, or Xanax,” he explains.
Special Agent Forget leads the Washington Division of the DEA, overseeing operations in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland. In 2023, the Washington Division took control of a staggering 639,000 counterfeit pills within its jurisdiction. Additionally, they also confiscated 189 pounds of fentanyl powder.
In Maryland, law enforcement authorities managed to seize 132,000 pills in 2022. This represents a significant increase of 471% compared to the previous year.
Forget wants Marylanders to remember that these types of lethal pills have the potential to be fatal even with just a single dose. The DEA has also launched an awareness campaign called “That’s also the name of the DEA’s awareness campaign.”
According to him, a large number of individuals are unaware that they are actually consuming fentanyl. Parents, especially, should take heed of Forget’s warning.
It is crucial to stay informed about your children’s activities, including who they communicate with and what they do online. Cartels and other criminals have a presence on various social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more. They actively engage in predatory behavior, targeting young individuals to sell addictive pills and generate higher profits.
Children may be searching for medications such as Xanax, Percocet, or Vicodin without realizing the potential dangers. It is often difficult to differentiate between counterfeit pills and genuine ones, even for professionals working in DEA laboratories.
“It all begins at home,” he emphasizes. “Engage in conversations with your children, communicate with your family, and increase awareness. And most importantly, never consume any medication that hasn’t been prescribed directly by your doctor. In the case of young individuals, parents or caregivers should be the ones administering the medication.”
In just the first few months of 2024, the DEA has already made significant progress in its efforts to combat the illegal drug trade. Across the country, law enforcement agents have successfully seized over 483,000 pills and a staggering 244 pounds of fentanyl powder. These remarkable numbers illustrate the scale of the problem we are facing and highlight the dedication of the DEA in tackling this deadly epidemic.
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