Sheriff Mike Chapman of Loudoun County, Virginia, has raised concerns about the movement of illegal drugs from the California-Mexico border to the DC area. During a House hearing on April 16, he stated that these drugs "included enough fentanyl to kill every man, woman, and child in Loudoun County two times over."
"‘A few years ago, my agency worked with the DEA on “Operation Angels Envy”,' said Mike Chapman," said Chapman. "‘Kilogram amounts of drugs originating from the Sinaloa Cartel, crossed the California – Mexican border and traversed the US to the Washington, DC area.' ‘These drugs included enough fentanyl to kill every man, woman, and child in Loudoun County two times over.' ‘This demonstrates why every state is now a border state.'"
According to his testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs under the House Oversight Committee, Sheriff Chapman highlighted two primary issues affecting his county. The first is the increasing presence of fentanyl and secondly, an influx of illegal immigrants which he believes is linked to a rise in criminal activity.
Chapman stated that in 2023, fentanyl was responsible for 70 percent of the 112,000 overdose deaths across America. He added that in Loudoun County alone there were 150 overdoses resulting in 24 deaths. Furthermore, according to his testimony, Chapman revealed that 72 percent of Americans view the southern border as a national security concern. He also said that over 700 individuals who are either known or suspected terrorists were apprehended at the border in 2023.
In his testimony, Chapman emphasized the need for better resources to tackle these issues. He said: "We need a Congress and Administration that will help provide better physical barriers, technology, collaborative intelligence, and human resources." He further urged for an administration that supports law enforcement and allows agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to perform their duties effectively.
According to his testimony, Chapman has dedicated 46 years to law enforcement. His career includes serving as a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent and Sheriff in Loudoun County. Currently, he holds the position of chair for Homeland Security for the National Sheriffs’ Association.
