HARRISBURG, PA — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) recently visited Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters, where he discussed a new legislative effort to combat the fentanyl crisis that has gripped Pennsylvania and the nation.
The bill, dubbed the Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act, was co-introduced by Senators Casey and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) on January 16, 2024. It aims to stem the tide of fentanyl flowing into the U.S. by bolstering resources along the southwest border, which is currently the primary entry point for this deadly drug.
At the event, Colonel Christopher Paris of the Pennsylvania State Police lauded the efforts of federal, local, and state law enforcement as they grapple with the fentanyl crisis. In 2023, troopers seized over $68 million worth of illicit drugs, including 246 pounds of fentanyl with a street value of nearly $4 million.
The proposed legislation would enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hire more officers and border patrol agents, increasing capacity to intercept smuggling attempts over the border. It also provides funding for Non-Intrusive Inspection systems, advanced technology that can scan vehicles and cargo at the border and produce detailed interior images, enhancing the detection of hidden contraband such as fentanyl and other illicit substances.
Furthermore, the bill targets the illegal firearms trade, which often intersects with drug trafficking. Mexican cartels frequently purchase firearms in the U.S. and smuggle them into Mexico to bolster their fentanyl production operations and other criminal enterprises. The proposed inspection program would increase firearm seizures, disrupting the cartels’ supply chains.
The Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act has garnered support from several senators, including Lujan (D-NM), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Rosen (D-NV), Baldwin (D-WI), Klobuchar (D-MN), Warner (D-VA), and Brown (D-OH). The bill’s potential passage could bring about much-needed relief to communities across Pennsylvania and the wider U.S.
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