SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom on Nov 19 announced the continuation of the state’s effort to address the fentanyl crisis, with the California National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force supporting the seizure of 1,541 pounds of illicit fentanyl in October. These seizures included over 1.7 million fentanyl pills at an estimated street value of $11.9 million.

“California continues the intensive work of keeping fentanyl out of our communities, helping law enforcement seize over 204% more fentanyl last month than the month prior. I thank the California National Guard and law enforcement for their diligent and lifesaving work at our ports of entry and across the state,” said Newsom.

In June, Governor Newsom doubled down on the deployment of the Cal Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force by more than doubling the number of service members supporting  fentanyl interdiction, and seizing other drugs, at California ports of entry from 155 to nearly 400. 

In 2023, the Governor increased the number of Cal Guard service members deployed to support drug interdiction at California ports of entry along the border by approximately 50%. Fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the country by U.S. citizens through ports of entry.