U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Commissioner John Modlin spoke at a National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day event in Times Square, New York. The annual gathering, organized by the nonprofit Facing Fentanyl, brings together families affected by fentanyl and members of law enforcement at various levels to address the ongoing synthetic opioid crisis.
“On behalf of the more than 65,000 fathers and mothers, and sons and daughters, who are also agents, officers and professional staff of CBP, we mourn with those who have lost a loved one to fentanyl poisoning,” said Deputy Commissioner Modlin. “Every hour of every day of the year, CBP is enforcing the law, across the land, in the air, and on the sea. Fentanyl is not just a public health threat – it’s a weapon. Any group that tries to poison Americans will face U.S. law enforcement and national security authorities.”
CBP has prioritized counter-fentanyl operations throughout all areas where it operates. These efforts focus on preventing fentanyl itself—as well as its ingredients and manufacturing equipment—from entering or being transported within the United States. The agency has increased its interdiction activities at border crossings and checkpoints by employing drug-sniffing dogs, advanced scanning technology, artificial intelligence tools, intelligence-led targeting methods, and officers’ experience to intercept smuggling attempts.
In addition to seizing drugs at entry points, CBP now targets criminal networks responsible for trafficking fentanyl components into the country. The agency works closely with domestic and international law enforcement partners to investigate larger organizations behind these operations.
Fentanyl first appeared in its finished form at U.S. borders around 2013-2014. It is highly potent; even small quantities can be lethal. Its low production cost and high demand make it especially dangerous—one kilogram mixed into pills yields over 9,000 doses; if kept as powder for pill pressing, that same amount can produce about 80,000 pills.
National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about synthetic opioids’ impact on communities nationwide while spotlighting ongoing prevention efforts. CBP’s involvement in this event demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding American lives from drug threats.
For additional details on National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day: https://www.dea.gov/fentanylawareness
CBP describes itself as America’s frontline—the nation’s largest law enforcement body tasked with unified border management responsibilities across land, air, and sea domains.
