Committee Passes Peters Bipartisan Bill to Bolster DHS Efforts to Detect and Seize Illicit Drugs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to ensure that the Department of the Homeland Security (DHS) is efficiently using existing resources and expanding available tools to stop the flow of deadly and illicit drugs like fentanyl into our nation has advanced in the Senate. The bill will help ensure that DHS has the data, information, and resources needed to counter drug trafficking. The legislation was approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Peters serves as Chair. It now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

“The federal government must work to reduce the supply of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs that continue to take lives,” said Senator Peters. “By strengthening the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to fight back against traffickers and seize drugs, this bipartisan bill will help reduce overdoses and stop these deadly substances from wreaking havoc on our communities.”

The opioid epidemic in the United States has reached an unprecedented level, with overdose deaths climbing to their highest level – over 100,000 deaths within the 12-month period ending in April 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This crisis has been exacerbated by the increase of synthetic opioids, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl. DHS plays an important role in disrupting and stopping these dangerous drugs from crossing our borders, and in dismantling the transnational criminal organizations that smuggle these drugs and profit from this crisis. This bill provides solutions to assist DHS with its counterdrug mission while also holding DHS accountable for assessing and improving their efforts. The bill aligns with the Administration’s priorities outlined in the National Drug Control Strategy, particularly the goal of reducing the supply of illicit drugs.

The Enhancing DHS Drug Seizures Act requires DHS to develop a plan to strengthen public-private partnerships with the shipping, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. These partnerships will assist DHS with early detection and interdiction of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals. The legislation requires DHS to study how they can improve efforts to collect and analyze data on illegal drug seizures. Better data will ensure that DHS has the information necessary for targeting and intelligence activities. Finally, the bill enhances penalties for the drug traffickers who knowingly and willfully destroy border technology, such as sensors and cameras in order to smuggle drugs into the United States.

Peters has long worked to secure our nation’s borders and promote secure and efficient travel and trade at ports of entry. Peters recently reintroduced bipartisan legislation to require Customs and Border Protection to hire additional officers to ensure they have sufficient personnel to carry out their mission. He also recently introduced legislation that would provide funding and authorities to ensure the federal government can secure our borders and manage the flow of migration.  Peters previously helped secure $87 million for non-intrusive inspection systems, which have enabled CBP officers to ensure safe and secure travel and trade across our borders. He helped secure $3.8 billion as a part of the bipartisan infrastructure law to help CBP upgrade border facilities to more efficiently and securely process travelers and trade at land border crossings.

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