Governor Abbott intends to crack down on Fentanyl with new bill

Staff Reports

Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference on May 27, 2021, in Fort Worth to discuss border security and the state’s efforts to secure the border and stop the trafficking of fentanyl in Texas.

In response to an unprecedented surge in fentanyl coming across the border, the Governor announced his intention to sign Senate Bill 768 (Huffman/Johnson) that will create a specific criminal offense, beginning with a third degree felony, for the manufacturing or delivery of fentanyl.

The Governor pointed to President Biden’s open border policies as a cause behind the surge in fentanyl, and urged the President to address this crisis and secure the border. 

“Lives are at stake as dangerous drugs like fentanyl pour into our communities at an astonishing rate, and we must act now to crack down on this proliferation of this deadly drug,” said Governor Abbott. “From Tarrant County to Lubbock County, fentanyl is wreaking havoc in our communities and it is essential for parents, family members, schools, and more to get fully engaged to prevent future fentanyl deaths. President Biden’s open border policies have led to a surge in this deadly drug coming into our communities. We must do more to combat this crisis, which is why I intend to sign legislation that will create a specific felony offense for the manufacturing or delivery of fentanyl.”

The Governor was joined for the press conference by Colonel Steve McCraw, Texas Department of Public Safety Director, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn, and Mansfield Police Chief Tracy Aaron.

According to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department, fentanyl seizures within the county increase from 59.2 grams in 2020 to 137 grams so far in 2021 — a 130% increase thus far this year. 

In the first four months of 2021, the Texas Department of Public Safety seized nearly 95 pounds, or 21.5 million lethal doses, of fentanyl in Texas. Compared to last year, in which DPS seized 11 pounds over 12 months, the state has experienced an 800 percent increase from all of last year in just the first quarter of 2021.

On March 6th, Governor Abbott announced Operation Lone Star to send law enforcement personnel and resources to high threat areas along the border. On March 17th, he expanded the Operation to include anti-human trafficking efforts. The Governor has also sent letters to President Biden and Vice President and Border Czar Kamala Harris demanding that the federal government take action to secure the border.