U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant Statement On Pending Expiration Of Emergency Prohibition Of Fentanyl Analogues and Its Impact on Public Safety in West Tennessee

MEMPHIS - "The DEA emergency prohibition of fentanyl analogues expires on February 6 without congressional action. Fentanyl and its analogues are responsible for multiple overdose deaths in West Tennessee. Without action by Congress, my law enforcement partners and I will not have the tools we need to protect families and communities from the onslaught of these extraordinarily dangerous substances."

"We have seen a transition in the source of fentanyl finding its way into West Tennessee communities. Initially, law enforcement officers found fentanyl from China in relatively small amounts in West Tennessee. In a dangerous turn of events, law enforcement officials are now intercepting increasing amounts of Mexican cartel-produced fentanyl. The cartels are using their established and prolific distribution networks to deliver fentanyl – a substance that is exponentially more dangerous than both methamphetamine and heroin.We continue to be very aggressive in prosecuting these cases, as shown by these recent examples:"

11/4/19 - Jackson Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/jackson-man-sentenced-15-years-possession-intent-distribute-heroin-and-fentanyl

10/17/19 - Five Members of a Large-Scale Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution Network Indicted https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/five-members-large-scale-heroin-and-fentanyl-distribution-network-indicted

7/23/19 - Convicted Felon Sentenced to 130 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl while Possessing a Firearm https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/convicted-felon-sentenced-130-months-federal-prison-distributing-fentanyl-while

6/3/19 - Lobelville, Tennessee Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/lobelville-tennesseeman-sentenced-240-months-conspiracy-distribute-methamphetamine-and

5/31/19 - Jackson Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl Causing Overdoses in Gibson and Madison Counties https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/jackson-man-sentenced-federal-prison-distributing-heroin-and-fentanyl-causing-overdoses

3/7/19 - 32-Year-Old Memphis Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Distributing a Lethal Dose of Fentanyl https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/32-year-old-memphis-man-sentenced-20-years-distributing-lethal-dose-fentanyl

5/1/18 -Memphis Man Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for Distribution of Fentanyl https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/memphis-man-sentenced-10-years-imprisonment-distribution-fentanyl

"Our nation, state, and district are suffering from the imminent threat of deadly fentanyl, causing increases in drug trafficking, violence, addiction, and overdose deaths that are tearing families and communities apart. I am urging Congress to give us the tools we need to continue our efforts against the distribution of fentanyl and its analogues here in West Tennessee. This fight is far from over. We need every tool we have to target this dangerous drug, hold dealers accountable, deter others from selling poison to our citizens, and save lives. Congress must take action immediately to extend the scheduling of these dangerous substances."

Background: In an effort to combat this deadly drug epidemic, DEA issued a temporary emergency two-year order in February 2018 that made all fentanyl-related substances illegal. Our country has seen a marked supply impact from DEA’s temporary scheduling of fentanyl-related substances during the past two years, with a 50 percent decrease in fentanyl-related substances encountered across the United States. However, DEA’s emergency authority expires at midnight on February 6, 2020, unless Congress acts to extend it.

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