On Monday, Dallas Police Department (DPD) Chief Eddie Garcia addressed members of the Dallas City Council at a Public Safety Committee Meeting.
He took to the podium to present efforts to combat the spread of the deadly drug fentanyl on the streets of Dallas. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Over the past two years, Dallas police have been waging war against the use of the drug and its sale on Dallas streets. The department began investigating fentanyl overdoses last year, finding more than 60 accidental deaths apparently linked to the drug.
“It really wasn’t until the last few years that we have seen it here,” said Garcia, addressing those present at the meeting. “The more data we can get, the better,” Garcia explained.
Maj. Devon Palk said most fentanyl the police see is in the form of blue pills laced with other drugs. Palk stressed that there need to be harsh penalties for those dealing in fentanyl.
“Twenty-to-life for killing someone by dealing them fentanyl. That’s one of the ways we are going to combat this,” Palk said.
Assistant Chief Michael Igo emphasized the importance of getting Narcan, a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, “in officers’ hands.”
In late September, the Department of Justice announced significant seizures of fentanyl across the United States.
The DEA and other law enforcement agencies seized more than 10.2 million fentanyl pills and approximately 980 pounds of fentanyl powder during the period of May 23 through September 8, 2022, according to a press release.
DPD’s Special Investigations Division seized 4,473 grams of fentanyl in 12 operations that led to 13 arrests or cases filed in 2021, according to a specially prepared report.
In the first 10 months of 2022, Dallas police seized 3,919 grams in 14 operations, yielding 12 arrests or cases filed, according to the report.
“The number of grams doesn’t sound very big … until you realize it’s just two milligrams for a fatal dose,” said Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn of District 12.
Councilmember Adam Bazaldua of District 7 recently highlighted in The Dallas Express’ Crime Boss series, asked DPD what the City needs to do to help the police succeed in the war on fentanyl on Dallas streets.
“I don’t know why we are being so hesitant, but I’d like to see aggressiveness on that issue,” said Bazaldua in the meeting.
Methamphetamine and fentanyl make up about 75% of DEA agents’ work, according to Special Agent in Charge of DEA Dallas Eduardo Chavez, speaking to NBC 5 Dallas.
“Fentanyl right now is probably North Texas’ largest drug threat,” Chavez added.