For The News Courier

In a partnership to tackle the fentanyl epidemic in communities across America, Governor Kay Ivey and the state of Alabama joined forces with the state of Virginia to participate in Operation Free — an enforcement initiative which began on Sunday, Sept. 15, and ended on Thursday, Oct. 31.

During Operation Free, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation and officers with the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force seized more than 48,800 grams of illicit drugs. Approximately 1,700 grams were fentanyl.

“The fentanyl epidemic in America is one of our gravest threats, and we are doing all we can in Alabama to battle it and protect our citizens,” Ivey said. “I am proud to join Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in Operation Free to help tackle this nationwide danger. Fentanyl cannot rob our people of their futures, so we will continue fighting to make sure this deadly drug is not a killer in Alabama. A safe Alabama is a secure future for Alabama, and a secured future is our goal.”

Alabama Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Dist. 21), also a part of Operation Free, highlighted the state’s efforts to fight trafficking, educate students on the dangers of fentanyl and support recovery.

“Operation Free perfectly aligns with the state of Alabama’s ongoing efforts to fight the opioid and Fentanyl epidemic,” Reynolds said. “In the last three legislative sessions, Alabama has made significant progress in equipping law enforcement to fight Fentanyl traffickers by imposing the stiffest penalties in the nation. Additionally, we have mandated Fentanyl education curricula in our public schools through the Price Hornsby Act and invested heavily in substance abuse treatment. Every bit counts when it comes to saving lives, and I look forward to our continued efforts to protect the people of Alabama.”

Reynolds also invited Congressman Dale Strong to join Operation Free.

“As a lifelong first responder, I have personally worked over 300 drug overdose calls. The devastation of this epidemic continues to grow as we see other dangerous drugs laced with fentanyl,” Strong said. “This deadly drug is pouring across our Southern Border and wreaking havoc in our communities. As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I believe securing the border is one piece of the puzzle to end this epidemic. On the local level, we must equip law enforcement officers, fund recovery efforts and educate our people. I’m proud to join Operation Free to continue seeking ways to stop the spread of Fentanyl.”

Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has become an increasingly significant threat, endangering the lives of citizens, law enforcement officers and first responders alike. In 2023, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration seized more than 80 million Fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of Fentanyl powder. The 2023 seizures are equivalent to more than 390 million lethal doses of Fentanyl.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility that transcends state lines. We were proud to join our state counterparts during Operation Free and will continue to take proactive measures to protect our state from the destruction and the increasing concern caused by Fentanyl,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said. “Through the leadership of Governor Ivey and joint initiatives such as this, we are able to work with all of our partners and make our communities safer to ultimately help eliminate this dangerous drug.”

In Fiscal Year 2022, special agents with ALEA SBI seized a total of 8,300 grams of Fentanyl, which is equivalent to 8.3 million lethal doses — enough to kill more than the entire population of Alabama. In Fiscal Year 2023, ALEA seized a total of 18,500 grams of Fentanyl.

The ADETF is comprised of ALEA and 47 local agencies, each having investigators sworn as state agents under ALEA’s SBI. The task force’s primary focus is to assist local communities with narcotics enforcement with resources not commonly available in these areas, along with targeting middle to upper-level drug trafficking organizations.

More recently, the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit was established in collaboration with ALEA, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the Montgomery Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, to confront and reduce violent crimes as well as drug-related incidents in the Capital City and surrounding areas. In August, the MACS unit seized enough Fentanyl to kill more than 5,000 individuals during one detail.

The Alabama Department of Corrections is battling the war on contraband, which includes Fentanyl.

“The ADOC is committed to enforcing its zero-tolerance policy on contraband, even when it comes to policing our own,” Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said.