Bill Would Target Fentanyl Traffickers

law enforcement with the tools they need to address this issue head-on.” save my child. But it’s not too late to save yours.” ficking.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) joined with the Atlantic County officials and families impacted by the opioid epidemic and fentanyl crisis to highlight legislation he co-sponsored, the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, that passed the Senate on July 27th as part the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The FEND Off Fentanyl Act is a sanctions and anti-money laundering bill to help combat the country’s fentanyl crisis by targeting opioid traffickers devastating America’s communities. The bill will enhance current law so U.S. government agencies can more effectively disrupt illicit opioid supply chains and penalize those facilitating the trafficking of fentanyl. The bill also ensures that sanctions are imposed not only on the illicit drug trade, but also on the money laundering that makes it possible.

“As we continue to raise awareness about the devastating impacts the fentanyl crisis has on Americans across the country – particularly our young people and their loved ones – we strive to crack down on fentanyl with the FEND Off Fentanyl Act,” said Sen. Menendez. “This landmark legislation is an urgently needed bipartisan initiative to strengthen current efforts to disrupt the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States. By targeting fentanyl and its revenue streams, we both protect our national security, and provide our

“In the face of the immense threat posed by fentanyl, with potency surpassing morphine by 100 times and heroin by 50 times, a balanced approach is essential. Our Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office plays a crucial role in preventing illicit distribution, safeguarding communities, and supporting access to treatment programs through harm reduction strategies,” said Atlantic County Sherrif Sheriff Eric Scheffler. “Thanks to the bipartisan bill, cosponsored by Senator Menendez, law enforcement is empowered to identify, disrupt, and dismantle fentanyl production at its source, making a significant impact in combatting fentanyl harm and providing necessary support for those affected.”

Two mothers spoke during the press conference – Sally Onesty, who lost her 22-year-old son Tyler to fentanyl, and Patrice Lenowitz, who lost her 25-year-old son Max to fentanyl. Both shored their heartbreaking testimonies of what this deadly drug has done to their sons, families, and their own lives.

“We have reached the critical stage in which it’s not an “if” Fentanyl will claim the life of someone you love, it’s “WHEN,” said Patrice Lenowitz, who lost her 25-year-old son, Max, last year to fentanyl. “Today’s Fentanyl criminal masterminds from China and Mexico have added this chemical to counterfeit prescription pills like Adderall, Xanax, Oxycodone, illicit street drugs like cocaine, and even marijuana. Senator Menendez’ leadership through the Fend Off Fentanyl Act is an important step as a deterrent. I couldn’t

In New Jersey, fentanyl was involved in nearly 75 percent of drug overdoses in 2019 – a drastic increase from seven years prior when it accounted for four percent, according to the NJ Office of the Attorney General. In 2021, nearly 107,000 Americans died from an overdose, and 65% of overdose deaths were caused by fentanyl. Last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized over 379 million deadly doses of fentanyl - enough to supply a lethal dose to every American. Specifically, to disrupt the flow of illicit opioids into the United States, the FEND Off Fentanyl Act would:

•Declare that the international trafficking of fentanyl is a national emergency.

•Require the President to sanction transnational criminal organizations and drug cartels’ key members engaged in international drug traf-

•Enable the President to use proceeds of forfeited, sanctioned property of fentanyl traffickers to further support law enforcement efforts.

•Enhance the ability to enforce sanctions violations thereby making it more likely that people who defy U.S. law will be caught and prosecuted.

•Require the administration to report to Congress on actions the U.S. government is taking to reduce the international trafficking of fentanyl and related opioids.

•Allow the Treasury Department to utilize special measures to combat fentanyl-related money laundering.

•Require the Treasury Department to prioritize fentanyl-related suspicious transactions and include descriptions of drug cartels’ financing actions in Suspicious Activity Reports.