NW Houston News

U.S. Representatives Dan Crenshaw, Abigail Spanberger, Madeleine Dean, and Wesley Hunt have joined forces to introduce bipartisan legislation aimed at combating the online sale of counterfeit pills and illicit drugs laced with fentanyl. The bill, known as the Targeting Online Sales of Fentanyl Act, seeks to address the growing concern of fentanyl-related deaths and the proliferation of these dangerous substances on the internet.

Crenshaw emphasized the importance of understanding the current landscape of online fentanyl sales, stating, “We can’t offer solutions to combat easy online access without knowing exactly what our agencies are already doing.”

Spanberger, drawing from her experience in federal law enforcement and intelligence, highlighted the urgency of the situation, saying, “Traffickers and dealers are finding new distribution channels for fentanyl-laced drugs online — while Virginians and Americans across the country are paying the price.”

Dean echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for a coordinated effort to tackle the issue, stating, “Every community suffers from the devastating toll of fentanyl — it is crucial that we commit ourselves to a bipartisan, bicameral effort to stop the spread of it.”

The bipartisan legislation aims to delve into various aspects of online fentanyl sales, including the business models and techniques employed by traffickers, the use of social media platforms in facilitating transactions, and the effectiveness of federal initiatives in countering such sales. The bill also seeks to evaluate enforcement mechanisms used by online providers and analyze the outcomes of referrals to law enforcement agencies regarding online fentanyl sales.

The U.S. Senate version of the bill is led by Senators Cory Booker and Ted Cruz, indicating a concerted effort across party lines to address the pressing issue of online drug sales. The proposed legislation underscores the need for comprehensive measures to disrupt the channels through which these dangerous substances are reaching consumers.

By shining a light on the methods and practices associated with online fentanyl sales, the Targeting Online Sales of Fentanyl Act aims to equip law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to combat this growing threat and protect communities from the devastating impacts of illicit drugs laced with fentanyl.