Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the launch of Operation Apollo, a Southern California counter-fentanyl joint operation, through border agent Troy Miller. The strategy is part of President Biden's unity agenda strategy to beat the overdose epidemic.
According to the CBP's post on Platform X, Operation Apollo is "a Southern California counter-fentanyl joint operation, to combat illicit drugs from entering the country and preventing these deadly substances from entering our communities and taking lives."
The first detailed element to consider involves some sobering statistics. According to a CBP news release, the division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released an updated, comprehensive approach within its mission set to continue to fight the national opioid epidemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans and impacted countless lives, families, and communities. As the unified border entity under DHS, this CBP strategy complements the department’s strategic plans and advances President Biden’s unity agenda strategy to beat the overdose epidemic.
Following this initial presentation comes information about how this plan was unveiled. Information provided by the media release stated that Miller unveiled the updated strategy alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement partners at a recent news conference in San Diego. Concurrently, CBP senior leadership also led a kickoff meeting with state and local law enforcement partners for Operation Apollo, a joint regional operation that flows from the updated strategy.
Next, we learn about the sentiments of the senior official himself. "In my 30 years as a customs' official, the trafficking of synthetic illicit drugs like fentanyl is one of the toughest, most daunting challenges I have ever seen. Through this updated strategy, we will channel the incredible efforts of the men and women of CBP to keep this and other drugs out of the country," said Miller in the release. "CBP’s modernized Strategy brings the unique, formidable, and wide-ranging capabilities and authorities of CBP to bear on the illicit synthetic drug trade and build capacity and collaboration with our partners—domestic and international—to ensure the safety of the American people. As the nation’s frontline, CBP is uniquely positioned to lead the federal government’s efforts to combat fentanyl."
Finally, we hear from another key figure in this battle against illicit drugs. "(DHS) is combating the scourge of fentanyl and other illicit synthetic narcotics with every tool at our disposal," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas in a statement. "We have stopped more fentanyl in the last two years than in the previous five years combined and continue to optimize our intelligence and field operations to stop these deadly substances from hitting our streets. At the same time, we are cracking down on ruthless cartels and criminal organizations that are responsible."
