The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) recently released its "State and Territory Report on Enduring and Emerging Threats," which highlights the expansion of Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartel operations into the United States. The report states that these cartels are now operating in all 50 states, producing and trafficking fentanyl through the southern border. It also reveals that fentanyl has become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45.
According to the DEA's January 2024 report, fentanyl continues to be the primary drug associated with overdose deaths in the United States. The report indicates that fentanyl overdose deaths reached a record high in 2022, with seizures of the drug by federal and state law enforcement officials also hitting unprecedented levels. The drug is available in both powder and pill forms, often mixed with other substances such as methamphetamine or heroin, and is primarily produced by the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels.
In a press release dated January 31, the DEA stated, "Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45." In 2023 alone, over 77 million pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of powder were seized within U.S. borders, preventing more than 386 million lethal doses from reaching consumers—enough to kill every American citizen. The agency reported significant seizures in Utah, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming where they confiscated approximately 3.4 million fentanyl pills. In Utah alone, law enforcement seized up from 1.9 million pills in 2022 to a staggering figure of 664,200 pills in just one year. The DEA attributes most of this fentanyl production to Mexican cartels.
The DEA report identifies the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels as being particularly prominent and widespread within U.S., with affiliates present in all fifty states. These affiliates are defined as individuals who are not full-fledged members, but who maintain direct contact with cartel members and could potentially work with multiple cartels. The report also mentions facilitators who may unknowingly be working with the cartels. The primary areas of operation for the Sinaloa Cartel include Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, New York, and New England. Meanwhile, the Jalisco Cartel has significant operations in Texas, Georgia, Southern California, North Carolina, and Illinois.
In contrast to a 2019 DEA report that identified cartel-related activities in all but 18 states, the 2024 report shows an alarming increase in such activities. It reveals that all 50 states now have some level of cartel activity.
According to information available on the DEA website, the agency is responsible for enforcing U.S.-controlled substances laws and regulations. Its main duties include investigating and prosecuting major drug violators, managing a national drug intelligence program, and seizing assets related to drug trafficking both domestically and internationally.
