Former Director of the Special Operations Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Derek Maltz, stated that too many Americans have died due to cartel-produced fentanyl. Maltz made this statement in a post on X on June 26.

"Time to DECIMATE the Mexican Cartels poisonous production labs in Mexico," said Maltz. "Way too may Americans have died as a result of the cartel's operations and ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The USA must be more aggressive to save lives."

According to the National Drug Threat Assessment put forth by the DEA, fentanyl is named the deadliest drug in American history, taking the lives of 38,000 Americans in the "first six months of 2023 alone." The Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have enabled the presence of fentanyl in nearly all 50 U.S. states by producing it in Mexico and smuggling it into the United States for profit.

Maltz's X post | X

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 375,000 pounds of fentanyl have been seized at the U.S. border in Fiscal Year 2024 to date. In 2023, the total amount of fentanyl seized was 549,000 pounds.

Insight Crime reports that 4.5 tons of pure fentanyl and 434 tons of methamphetamine are produced in Mexico per year "in order to meet the demand of the U.S. consumption market." The chemical components cost between $9 million and $22.5 million for fentanyl and between $83.3 million and $126.5 million for methamphetamine.

Maltz told Federal Newswire that the fentanyl epidemic is caused by "narco terrorist" groups in Mexico. He said, "[The] number of Americans dying from fentanyl is now the single greatest challenge we face as a country…Families and communities across our country are being devastated by the fentanyl epidemic."

Derek Maltz Sr., according to his bio, formerly worked for the DEA for 28 years. He was the Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice's Special Operations Division for ten years and was awarded the Presidential Rank award.